Glenwood council acknowledges state drinking-water violation over lack of a second water source
August 12, 2026 · Glenwood Town Hall
The Glenwood Town Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 for Resolution 281-8-26 acknowledging findings from the Utah Division of Drinking Water. The mayor said the state notified the town in June 2025 that it lacks a required second water source, and that refusing a compliance agreement could bring $5,000-a-day penalties and court-ordered receivership of its water system. The council also loosened the subdivision ordinance on utility hookups and hired a part-time cross-connection control employee.
From the approved minutes. Updated November 6, 2026.
In brief
5 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 approved and 1 discussed.
2 votes were not unanimous: Subdivision ordinance amendment (4-1) and Ordinance Review Committee (3-2).
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $5,000.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
7 members were present.
Residents raised old mill road gate, water system compliance, and government transparency.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Resolution 281-8-26: acknowledging Division of Drinking Water findings | Approved · 5-0 |
| Subdivision ordinance amendment | Approved · 4-1 |
| Cross-connection control employee | Approved · 5-0 |
| Ordinance Review Committee | Approved · 3-2 |
| Streets, parks, water meters and animal control | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 9 · Roads and utilities
Resolution 281-8-26: acknowledging Division of Drinking Water findings
Approved · 5-0
The mayor said a state rule in force since 1998 requires systems with more than 100 connections to have a second water source. Glenwood bought water rights for that purpose in 2015 but did not finish. The state notified the town in June 2025 and repeatedly afterward, and offered a Compliance Agreement/Enforcement Order. Declining would bring $5,000-a-day violations, then possible court receivership of the water system at the town's expense and loss of grant and low-interest loan eligibility. Engineers from Jones & DeMille said a storage tank would let the town draw more at peak use than its spring water right allows. The mayor wants three engineering firms to present options. The council passed the resolution unanimously.
- other$5,000
- Resolution 281-8-26
- Agency: Utah Division of Drinking Water
Item 8 · Zoning
Subdivision ordinance amendment
Approved · 4-1
On the planning commission's recommendation, the council removed a requirement that simple-lot subdivision applicants provide physical utility hookups to each lot before approval, keeping will-serve letters from utility providers. The mayor said utilities will not set meters for future lots.
Item 11 · Appointment
Cross-connection control employee
Approved · 5-0
To address points the state assessed for lacking a certified cross-connection control individual, the council approved a part-time arrangement with the certified operator from Annabella Town for six months, until a town employee finishes water operator certification.
Item 10 · Other
Ordinance Review Committee
Approved · 3-2
The council created a resident committee to suggest ordinance changes; it will have no power to make rules and requires only town residency. The mayor revised the online application to make its work visible.
Item 12-17 · Other
Streets, parks, water meters and animal control
Discussed
The town attorney said a proposal on the Old Mill Road gate is awaiting a response and he had contacted the Attorney General's Office. A council member is gathering pickleball court bids pending a feasibility study; a zipline was ruled out over liability. The council heard that new water meters need no multiplier, that master meters may be replaced, and that the town is not charging enough for water. Four animal traps are available for resident checkout.
What residents said
Old Mill Road gateWater system complianceGovernment transparency
Residents asked about the Old Mill Road gate, urged transparency from officials, and raised the subdivision ordinance, animal control. Several asked to hear agenda details before commenting.