What Washington County Water Conservancy District does

Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) is a Utah special service district established in 1962 to manage water resources across Washington County, with a service footprint that touches approximately 95 percent of the county's 213,700 residents (2025). The district provides wholesale potable water, secondary irrigation water, wastewater management, and conservation programming to eight municipalities—St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, Toquerville, and Virgin—through long-term Regional Water Supply Agreements, and also operates direct retail service, secondary water systems, and wastewater systems for unincorporated neighborhoods such as Sky Ranch, Casa de Oro, Homespun Village, and Kolob Heights.

The underlying technology platform is an integrated physical water management system: five reservoirs with combined storage exceeding 100,000 acre feet (approximately 33 billion gallons), a 200-plus-mile pipeline network spanning from Kolob to Gunlock, the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant (60 million gallons per day capacity treating water from Quail Creek Reservoir, Sand Hollow Reservoir, and the Virgin River), eight diversion dams, more than two dozen production wells yielding an average of 4,000 acre feet per year, and two hydropower plants (Hurricane Hydro at 600 kilowatts and Quail Creek Hydro at 2.4 megawatts) that generate combined annual revenues above $1 million. The Advanced Water Purification facility—part of the $250 million-plus Regional Reuse Purification System—uses proven treatment technologies to purify reclaimed wastewater to federal and state drinking-water standards, with capacity to serve more than 40,000 homes by 2042.

WCWCD operates as a not-for-profit government entity funded through three primary revenue streams: water rates (municipal wholesale potable at $1.92 per 1,000 gallons and secondary at $1.38 per 1,000 gallons), limited property taxes for watershed development and conservation, and impact fees (residential $17,266 for a 3/4-inch meter; commercial up to $328,049 for a 2-inch meter). Pricing follows cost-of-service principles with conservation-based tiered structures and excess-use surcharges, and additional revenue is generated through hydropower sales to municipal partners, conservation rebates, and the long-term Zion Canyon Hot Springs lease signed with Off Road Capital Partners for a 15-acre resort scheduled to open in fall 2025.

Name

Washington County Water Conservancy District

Legal name

Washington County Water Conservancy District

Website

https://wcwcd.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Washington County Water Conservancy District is a Utah special service district managing integrated water infrastructure—reservoirs, pipelines, treatment plants, and hydropower—to supply eight municipalities and unincorporated areas serving approximately 95 percent of Washington County's 213,700 residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Utility Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Utilities (22)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB), Disinfection & Oxidation (Chlorine/Chloramine, UV, Ozone, AOP) (EUANABAD), Sewer Pump/Lift Stations & Wet Wells (EUANACAC), Reservoir/Impoundment Hydroelectric Generation (EUACAEAB)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Water treatment operations
• Water infrastructure management
• Water conservation programs
• Hydropower generation

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint George

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Water Rates: Water rates fund ongoing operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of water deliveries. Municipal wholesale potable water rate is $1.92 per 1,000 gallons; municipal wholesale secondary water rate is $1.38 per 1,000 gallons. Customer direct rates vary by system with base rates and tiered usage rates.
2. Property Taxes: Limited property taxes fund watershed development and management, conservation efforts, environmental initiatives and public services such as flood control and emergency fire suppression water supplies.
3. Impact Fees: One-time payments to fund construction of public facilities needed for new development activity. Fees due prior to securing a building permit. Residential water impact fee is $17,266 for 3/4 inch or 5/8 inch meter. Commercial fees vary by meter size from $19,856 to $328,049.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Washington County Water Conservancy District is a special service district organized under Utah state law that supplies, treats and delivers water throughout Washington County, Utah. It operates an integrated network of five reservoirs, 200+ miles of pipeline, the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant, hydropower plants, diversion dams and production wells, providing wholesale water to eight municipalities serving 95% of the county's population while also delivering direct retail, secondary irrigation and wastewater services to unincorporated areas. The district funds operations through water rates, limited property taxes and impact fees.

Product overview

Washington County Water Conservancy District operates as a unified water management platform offering a comprehensive suite of water infrastructure and conservation services. The district's core offerings center on water treatment (Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant at 60 MGD capacity), a 200+ mile pipeline network, five major reservoirs (100,000+ acre feet capacity), two hydropower plants, eight diversion dams, and over two dozen production wells. The district provides wholesale water to eight municipalities serving 95% of the county's population through the Regional Water Supply Agreement, while also managing retail, secondary, and wastewater systems for unincorporated areas. A major initiative is the Regional Reuse Purification System with Advanced Water Purification (AWP) technology to transform reclaimed water into drinking water. Additional services include conservation programs (Water Efficient Landscape Program, conservation incentives), impact fees, water rates with tiered surcharges, and an economic data portal. The district also operates conservation gardens (Red Hills Desert Garden, The Boilers) and manages the Lake Powell Pipeline project. The portfolio functions as an integrated regional water management system rather than discrete product modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Municipal Water Supply Wholesale water delivery to eight municipal customers (St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, La Verkin, Toquerville and Virgin) coordinated through the Regional Water Supply Agreement. Municipal wholesale potable water rate is $1.92 per 1,000 gallons and secondary wholesale rate is $1.38 per 1,000 gallons. Serves about 95% of Washington County's population.
• Unincorporated County Water Service Direct retail water service to neighborhoods in unincorporated Washington County where municipal water providers are unavailable, including Sky Ranch, Cliffdweller Ranch, Casa de Oro, Homespun Village, Kolob Heights and Kolob area. Provides 22 million gallons annually to 175+ homes in Sky Ranch/Cliffdweller Ranch and 6.5 million gallons to 41 homes in Casa de Oro/Homespun Village.
• Toquerville Secondary Water System Pressurized secondary irrigation water system providing seasonal water service for landscape and agricultural use, managed by a five-member board.
• Wastewater Management Governing authority over wastewater management in western unincorporated areas of Washington County since 2009, including the Dammeron Valley wastewater system and septic density studies.
• Hydropower Generation Electricity generation from Hurricane Hydro (600 kW) and Quail Creek Hydro (2.4 MW) plants, producing combined annual revenues of more than $1 million with power sold to local municipalities.
• Regional Reuse Purification System Water reuse and advanced purification infrastructure that transforms reclaimed water into purified drinking water, producing more than 24,000 acre feet of water per year by 2042, enough to serve more than 40,000 homes. Includes the Advanced Water Purification (AWP) facility, new reservoirs, 60 miles of pipeline, and multiple pump stations.
• Quail Creek Water Treatment Water treatment services using a four-hour treatment process with filters, purification elements and disinfectants. Capable of treating 60 million gallons of water per day from Quail Creek Reservoir, Sand Hollow Reservoir and the Virgin River.
• Water Efficient Landscape Rebate Program Conservation rebate program paying property owners up to $3 per square foot of grass replaced with water-efficient landscaping, plus $100 per qualifying shade tree through the treebate program. Maximum payment of $100,000 per property per calendar year.
• Conservation Incentive Rebates Targeted conservation rebates including Smart Controller Rebate (up to $100) for eligible WaterSense smart controllers and Toilet Replacement Rebate (up to $150) for WaterSense-labeled toilets, paid to home and business owners.
• Zion Canyon Hot Springs Lease Long-term lease agreement with Off Road Capital Partners for land and a portion of hot springs water from La Verkin Hot Springs to support the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in per capita water use since 2000
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. George CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner in Regional Reuse Purification System. Collaborates on planning, development, and operation of water infrastructure necessary for continued growth and development of Washington County through Regional Water Supply Agreement.
• Ash Creek Special Service DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner in Regional Reuse Purification System. Collaborates on wastewater reclamation and water reuse initiatives in Washington County.
• Washington CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Coordinates on water conservation practices and planning to ensure maximum use of reuse water.
• HurricanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Hydropower plant sells generated power to Hurricane City to help satisfy municipal power needs.
• IvinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Collaborates on water infrastructure development and conservation efforts.
• La VerkincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Hot springs water used for Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort development.
• ToquervillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Ash Creek Project including Chief Toquer Reservoir under construction in Toquerville.
• VirgincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal customer and partner in Regional Water Supply Agreement. Collaborates on water supply planning and conservation initiatives.
• Bureau of ReclamationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for Eastside Reuse System Environmental Assessment under NEPA process. Evaluates environmental impact of reuse water infrastructure projects.
• Bureau of Land ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for Central Reuse System Environmental Assessment under NEPA process. Evaluates environmental impact of reuse water infrastructure projects.
• Utah Division of Water ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner working on Lake Powell Pipeline project and water supply planning. Collaborates on water conservation and development initiatives.
• Off Road Capital PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort in La Verkin. Long-term lease agreement for land and portion of hot springs water. Founder previously developed Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
• Ash Creek Special Service DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages eastern Washington County wastewater (east of Interstate 15 and New Harmony) while WCWCD manages western areas. Collaborates on Regional Reuse Purification System.
• Zion National ParkminorOthersFederal partnership agreement for environmental protection and water resource management related to Virgin River and regional water systems.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Central Arizona Project: State-level water delivery system that conveys Colorado River water via a 336-mile canal to municipal and agricultural users across central and southern Arizona. Comparable as a long-distance water conveyance/wholesale utility serving desert communities, but with a different supply source and customer mix.
• Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority: Joint water and wastewater utility serving Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Comparable as a southwestern U.S. municipal utility combining water supply, treatment, conservation and wastewater services under a single authority.
• Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities: Utah municipal water and wastewater utility serving Salt Lake City. Comparable as another in-state publicly operated water utility delivering wholesale/retail water and wastewater services, but in a different watershed and with a much larger urban customer base.
• Denver Water: Large Colorado municipal water utility operating a system of reservoirs, treatment plants and pipelines serving the Denver metro area. Comparable as an integrated reservoir-to-tap water provider with similar infrastructure assets and conservation programs, but serving a larger and older customer base.
• Tampa Bay Water: Regional wholesale water supplier serving multiple member governments in the Tampa Bay area. Comparable as a wholesale water authority under multi-party supply agreements, though in a humid climate with very different supply dynamics.
• Orange County Water District: California groundwater management and water reuse district operating the Groundwater Replenishment System (the world's largest indirect potable reuse facility). Comparable for its leadership in advanced water purification / reuse — the same technology WCWCD is deploying in its Regional Reuse Purification System.
• Southern Nevada Water Authority: Multi-agency wholesale water authority serving Las Vegas Valley, with a focus on Colorado River allocation management, conservation and reuse. Highly comparable as a desert-region wholesale water authority with aggressive conservation and reuse programs, though it serves a far larger customer base.

Others

• Utah Division of Water Resources: State-level water planning and funding agency that partners with WCWCD on the Lake Powell Pipeline and regional water supply planning. Included as an enabling/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor; relevant context for WCWCD's external state relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Very large wholesale water agency supplying imported water to 26 member agencies across Southern California. Comparable as a wholesale water provider with conservation, treatment and reuse programs, but vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Bureau of Reclamation: Federal agency that manages water infrastructure in the western U.S. and is a funding/environmental review partner for WCWCD's Regional Reuse System. Included as a broader-incumbent and key external stakeholder rather than a direct operational competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wcwcd
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheWCWCD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washington County Water Conservancy District