Water district to hold public hearing on Silver Cliffs rates; recent Toquerville assessment outcomes pending
Recent meetings on Toquerville secondary water assessments and Virgin River endangered-fish recovery were held in the past two weeks, but minutes have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed. The most consequential upcoming item is a public hearing scheduled for today, August 3, when the Washington County Water Conservancy District Board will consider establishing retail water rates for the Silver Cliffs Subdivision.
Toquerville Secondary Water System — July 20
The Toquerville Secondary Water System Board of Directors met July 20 to consider annual contract assessments for water service within the service area. According to the agenda, the board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on proposed assessment rate increases that vary by property type and size:
- Residential parcels under 1/2 acre: $439 to $515
- Residential parcels 1/2 to 1 acre: $629 to $754
- Agricultural parcels: $199 to $239
- Stand-by parcels: $228 to $274
The agenda also included a resolution authorizing the levy of annual contract assessments and approval of the February 3, 2026 board meeting minutes. Minutes from the July 20 meeting have not been published, so whether the board approved the increases or adopted the resolution is not yet confirmed in the record.
Virgin River Program — July 22
The Virgin River Program Administration Committee met July 22 to review program updates. Agenda items included discussion of the program charter and protocols, mitigation memorandums of understanding, and the workplan.
The committee was scheduled to receive updates on woundfin and chub recovery efforts, including production, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, river status, refugia, genetics, and population viability analysis. The agenda also listed review of Technical Committee findings on limiting factors and the Southwest Willow Flycatcher (SWFFL).
Future meetings noted on the agenda: a Hatchery Meeting on August 20, and Administration Committee meetings on September 23 and November 18. Minutes from the July 22 meeting have not been published.
Coming up — August 3
The Washington County Water Conservancy District Board meets today, August 3, with a public hearing on establishing a retail water rate schedule for the Silver Cliffs Subdivision. Proposed rates from the agenda:
- Monthly minimum water service fee: $20.00 per connected user
- Tiered usage rates: $2.00 per 1,000 gallons for the first 12,000 gallons, increasing to $10.00 per 1,000 gallons for usage over 32,000 gallons
- Water surcharge: $15.00 per 1,000 gallons for usage over 290,000 gallons per calendar year
- Water development surcharge: $1.75 per month per equivalent residential connection
- 3/4-inch meter connection fee: $400.00
The board is also scheduled to consider:
- A construction agreement for the Toquerville Secondary Water System to Chief Toquer pump station project
- A property conveyance near Sand Hollow Reservoir to the Hurricane Valley Fire District
- A grant application for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART program for the Quail Creek Hydro Bypass project
- A memorandum of understanding for water and sewer infrastructure near Diamond Valley
- Potential operational control of the Angell Springs water system
All August 3 items are listed on the upcoming agenda; no votes have been recorded yet.