UTAH DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS

UPPER PROVO RIVER GROUND-WATER POLICY

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 1995

November 15,1995

                UPPER PROVO RIVER GROUND-WATER POLICY

The upper Provo River Valleys are defined as those alluvial valleys which are
tributary to the Provo River above the mouth of Provo Canyon at Olmstead.

The valleys of the upper Provo River are experiencing a change in land use
practices.  These valleys are changing from a largely agricultural use to
urban and residential uses.  These changes have prompted the State Engineer to
re-examine his policies concerning ground-water.

Recent studies by the USGS have indicated a very strong inter-relationship
between ground-water and surface sources.  This inter-relationship means that
water use in the upper Provo River Valleys has an effect upon the water
supplies downstream.

Current policy allows the appropriation of water for single family residential
use where no other source of water is available.  As multi-unit subdivisions
are becoming more prevalent, it appears this policy is becoming outdated.

1.   New Appropriations

     The upper Provo River Valleys are closed to new appropriations of
     ground-water.

2.   Change Applications

     All new withdrawals of ground-water will be based on the acquisition and
     transfer of existing surface or ground-water rights, and the filing of a
     change application.  These applications will be considered on their own
     merits.  Applications to change water within the upper Provo River
     Valleys will be viewed favorably by the State Engineer.  Those
     applications seeking to change water into the upper Provo River Valleys
     from other areas of the Utah Lake drainage will be critically reviewed.
     In order to better protect prior water rights and public health and
     safety, consideration will be given as to whether the application
     proposes delivery through a central water system and the discharge of
     effluent through a sanitary sewer system.  All such applications will be
     required to provide, in acre-feet per year, the proposed annual
     withdrawal.

3.   Proof of Change

     All proofs of change will be required to state the water right's annual
     withdrawal, in acre-feet per year, in addition to the maximum allowable
     flow rate.  All maps submitted with proofs of change which involve the
     transfer of irrigation water rights will be required to show the lands
     being taken out of irrigation as well as the new uses covered under
     change.

4.   Reporting Provisions

     To effectively monitor ground-water withdrawals, all wells which have
     the potential to divert 100 acre-feet or more per year shall be equipped
     with meters and shall report their diversions to the State Engineer on a
     calendar year basis through the Water Use Data Program which is operated
     by the State Engineer.

5.   Oversight

     The State Engineer will monitor potential well withdrawals, actual
     withdrawal data, and water quality data.  If in the opinion of the State
     Engineer the data suggests additional policy guidelines are needed in
     order to protect the resources, action will be taken to present this to
     the water users and the general public.  Following the public review
     process, this policy can be modified accordingly.

6.   Adoption of Policy

     Item 1 of this policy will become effective immediately.  Items 2
     through 5 shall become effective after a thirty (30) day comment period
     which will end on December 15, 1995.  Items of this policy may be
     modified in the future as new data and information becomes available.
     All modifications to the policy will be done through a public review
     process.