OCR Text |
Show ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF WATER DEVELOPMENT 111 Utah's right in that consumptive allotment can be availed of, and water rights not actually exercised, however solemnly guaranteed, are always in jeopardy. We have called attention to the fact that the Duchesne tunnel is being constructed larger than is required for the Deer Creek Division as now planned, and the fact also is that its capacity can be almost doubled by a concrete lining. It is suggested that in the general interest of the State it must be utilized to the limit of its possibilities and that it be completed as speedily as circumstances will permit. FINANCING District Must Derive All Possible Revenue from Sales The Metropolitan Water District Act provides that " The Board of Directors shall fix such rate or rates for 136. Mirror Lake, in the Duchesne Mountains, draining from these areas represent an importa tapped for use in Salt Lake Valley. water furnished as will pay the operating expenses of the district, provide for repairs and depreciation of works owned or operated by such district, pay the interest on any bonded or other debt, and, so far as practicable, provide a sinking or other fund for the payment of the principal of such debt as the same may become due; it being the intention of this section to require the district to pay the interest and principal of its indebtedness from the revenues of such district, so far as practicable." Expenses so Far Paid hy Taxation Since the water supply of the District has not accrued, the problem of water rates, though it has been a subject of attention, has not so far had to be faced, and operating expense and assessments on account of capital and and operating charges of the Provo River Water Users Association have of necessity been met by taxation. is but one of many in eastern Utah. The waters it potential supply which may some dny he S. L. Tribune |