The City has four active culinary wells, with an additional well in construction, that it uses to supplement the water that is taken from JVWCD. The City also has additional wells that are used for secondary uses, which are not included in this analysis. The culinary wells are used in conjunction with the JVWCD connections to meet the City's water needs. In an effort to reduce peaking charges from JVWCD the wells are of particular importance during peak demand. Potential yield (annual) and capacity (peak) associated with each of the wells is summarized in Table 3-2.
Name | Potential Yield at Maximum Production
1
(acre-ft) | Historic
2
Maximum Yield (acre-ft) | Estimated Capacity
3
(gpm) | City Pressure Zone |
Well No. 3 | 758 | 360 | 470 | 4 |
Well No. 4 | 2,557 | 1,250 | 1,585 | 4 |
Well No. 5 | 1,686 | 780 | 1,045 | 3 |
Well No. 6 | 2,137 | 1,095 | 1,325 | 4 |
Total | 7,944 | 3,485 | 4,425 | |
1
Potential Yield assumes year-round operation of the wells at the estimated capacity 2
Based on 2012 - 2020 DWR data 3
Based on 2021 pumping data | ||||
City personnel report that they have water rights in excess of what has historically been used. With a potential yield at maximum production of approximately 7,944 acre-ft, the City has the well capacity to access more than the historic maximum yield of 3,485. However, there is concern regarding the health of the aquifer and water quality at high levels of utilization. The City is located near contaminated groundwater plumes in the principal aquifer of southwest Salt Lake County. This contamination was the result of historic mining activities in the Oquirrh Mountains. When the wells are operated at their full capacity for extended periods of time, City personnel have noticed the potential for significant water quality decreases as the contaminated plume is pulled closer to the City wells. Because of this, City staff has decided to limit their use of the wells to 2,000 to 3,000 acre- ft/year. For future planning purposes, a volume of 2,500 acre-ft/year will be used.