Alpine City Council approved a plan Tuesday to reopen the municipal pool for the 2026 summer season, tying the effort to anticipated improvements in the city’s water supply.
Council members approved the operating plan after discussing the expected impact of the Cartwright well coming online, which officials said could significantly reduce water costs and improve supply reliability.
City leaders said the new well is expected to provide water at a substantially lower cost than the city’s current practice of hauling water to storage facilities, a strategy used during recent supply challenges.
Council members also discussed the possibility of easing drought restrictions if water conditions improve, potentially allowing the city to return to a less restrictive stage of its drought contingency plan.
Debate emerged over whether filling the pool should remain a priority while Alpine continues confronting broader water concerns.
Some council members expressed reservations about using water for recreation while infrastructure projects remain unfinished and residents continue adapting to drought conditions.
Others argued that reopening the pool represents an important quality-of-life investment for residents and families, particularly during summer months.
Under the approved plan, the pool would be filled gradually if conditions allow and operated under pricing and water-use assumptions designed to keep the facility financially sustainable.
City officials said reopening efforts remain contingent on improvements to water availability and completion of infrastructure work.
