- Utah officials visited the Davis County Aqueduct project.
- The $81 million project aims to protect water supply during earthquakes.
- Construction includes a new pipeline and pumphouse.
- The project is expected to take 24 months to complete.
October 3, 2024 — Yesterday, state and local officials toured the Davis County Aqueduct seismic resilience project
. This $81 million initiative is designed to secure water supply for over 650,000 residents in case of a major earthquake.
The project is partially funded by a $24 million grant from the Utah Division of Water Resources and is led by the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD). Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said, “This partnership between the Division of Water Resources and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a water-resilient Utah.”
Construction Details.
During the tour, officials observed the construction of a new large-diameter pipeline and pumphouse. These upgrades are meant to strengthen the aqueduct against seismic risks along the Wasatch Front. Scott Paxman, executive director of WBWCD, noted, “An $81 million project — that was the amount of money that it took to build the entire Weber Basin project, including all the dams, reservoirs, pipelines, canals, pump stations back in the 1950s.”
The project will involve building a pipeline that enhances the existing Davis Aqueduct, which was constructed in the mid-1950s. The new pipeline will help ensure a reliable water supply for Davis County. The construction is projected to last for 24 months and will include two new pump stations and about 2.2 miles of 72-inch diameter welded steel piping, specifically designed to handle seismic movements.
Whitaker Construction has been awarded the contract for the project and will work with several subcontractors. The new pipeline will connect to the North Davis Water Treatment Plant and will supply both treated culinary water and secondary irrigation. The pipeline route will cross Highway 89 and run alongside the west side of the highway.
More information about the project can be found here.
About the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District provides around 230,000 acre-feet of water yearly for various uses, including agricultural and industrial needs. Over 700,000 residents in Davis, Weber, Morgan, Summit, and Box Elder counties benefit from the District’s water sources, which include large storage reservoirs, hydro-power plants, and extensive networks of canals and pipelines.
Top image via the Utah Division of Water Resources.
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