Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons will be connected by a water pipeline

SANDY, Utah — A major project to connect the water supplies of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons with a new pipeline  has begun.

Dubbed the Cottonwoods Connection, the 84 million dollar pipeline will connect Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon water supplies together, while earthquake proofing the pipes themselves.

General Manager for Metro Water Annalee Munsey says the project is more than linking the two water plants together. It also helps conserve additional drinking water in emergency situations.

“This pipeline has been aging well, it’s been serving the public for 75 years,” Munsey said. “But, in an event of an earthquake, would we be able to rely on it 100%? Probably not.”

A sample of the new pipe was on display at the ground breaking event, which they say is earthquake proof. Munsey says the new connection will help conserve enough emergency drinking water for 100,000 Salt Lake Valley residents annually.

Employees and Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski signed the pipe on site before it joins the rest of the pipeline, projected to finish by 2026.

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