In a recent government meeting, the Bloomington Water Company received approval for an ARPA grant aimed at enhancing water conservation efforts in St. George. The board committed to funding 25.5% of the project cost, amounting to up to $365,000, which will be financed at a 1% interest rate over 15 years, resulting in annual payments of approximately $26,400. This initiative involves the installation of 370 secondary water meters, a critical step in improving water management in the region.

Additionally, the city of Saratoga Springs presented a revised project scope due to challenges in securing necessary rights of way for their original plan. The updated project includes converting 1.7 acres of turf grass to waterwise landscaping, which is expected to conserve approximately 2.6 acre-feet of water at a cost of $949,000. Furthermore, the city plans to install 25 to 30 smart irrigation controllers in local parks, projected to save around nine acre-feet of water for an estimated $325,000.

A significant component of Saratoga Springs' project involves replacing deteriorating geotextile liners in city ponds with concrete, addressing both water conservation and safety concerns for nearby residences. This aspect of the project is estimated to cost around $1.3 million. The total expected cost for the revised project is $2,626,000, with $2 million allocated from a separate ARPA funding source.

The board expressed support for the changes, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives in promoting water conservation and enhancing the sustainability of local water resources.