SPI Insights

Utah – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently issued a draft environmental impact statement that reports the Lake Powell Pipeline project is the only alternative that will meet the water needs of Washington County by 2060.

The proposed pipeline will transport water from Lake Powell through an approximately 140-mile buried pipeline to Washington County. Five pump stations will move the water through the pipeline. Six hydroelectric facilities will generate part of the energy needed to operate the pump stations.

At full capacity, the project will deliver up to 82,249 acre feet of water per year to cities and towns including St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, Toquerville, Leeds, Virgin, and Apple Valley.

Based on preliminary design and engineering, the pipeline is estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.7 billion. An updated cost estimate will be prepared when environmental studies are complete and alignment and design are determined.