Utah County commission reviews new water rights ordinance for Hobble Creek Canyon

The Utah County Commission meeting on September 1, 2021, focused on significant concerns regarding water rights, particularly in Hobble Creek Canyon. Bryce Armstrong from the Community Development staff presented updates on ongoing water rights adjudication processes affecting the county, which have been in litigation since the 1970s. The state engineer's office has initiated a water distribution system in Hobble Creek to manage water rights based on priority dates, raising alarms about potential water shut-offs that could impact residential uses.

The commission discussed a proposed ordinance amendment aimed at addressing these water rights challenges. The amendment would require individuals applying for building permits that necessitate water or sewer services to sign a restrictive covenant acknowledgment. This document would inform applicants of the potential risks associated with their water rights, particularly in light of the ongoing adjudication process.

Additionally, the proposal initially included a requirement for applicants to provide an expert statement certifying the validity of their water rights. However, following discussions at the planning commission level, this requirement was modified. The expert statement will now only be necessary for properties within the newly established Hobble Creek water distribution system, rather than countywide.

The commission emphasized the importance of ensuring that property owners are aware of the status of their water rights before making significant investments in their properties. The proposed changes aim to provide clarity and protect residents from unexpected water supply issues in the future. The commission plans to monitor the situation and may expand the ordinance to include other areas of concern as new water distribution systems are established.