Some future American Fork residents are facing a crisis they may not be aware of.

"We are reaching a crisis issue," said developer Dan Richards, whose Mitchell Meadows subdivision on the city's northwest side is the area of concern. "People who will be moving into this subdivision shortly won't have water for their homes."

Mayor Heber Thompson directed the city's Public Works Department to work expeditiously to find a solution to the problem. Director of Public Works Howard Denney said Monday the city was hiring a consultant to determine options.

On the southeast corner of 1120 North and 900 West, the subdivision has water, just not enough, according to some.

Richards explained he put a sprinkler system in last fall and had 65 pounds of water pressure. Again this spring it was 65 pounds, but it has dropped to 45 pounds and even lower since then.

"We measured the water pressure up there and it was down to less than 20 pounds this last week," he said in an interview Monday. "You cannot run a house with 20 pounds."

Richards presented his concerns at the July 10 City Council meeting. Denney told him the city's water tanks were designed to be filled and nearly emptied on a 24-hour cycle.

"About 8 to 9 p.m. is the maximum pressure," he said. "The pressure bottoms out in the morning." Denney suggested those residents could water their lawns in the evening to help alleviate immediate concerns.

Richards said the problem was more than outside watering.

"The issue is flushing your toilet and taking a shower," he said. "Do you manage to do that within a certain hourfi"

While the city and developer both have questions, neither one is expressing an answer right now.

"I don't know how we are going to solve the problem," Richards said. "There are ways, like putting in booster pumps. They are very expensive and only a temporary solution."

"It is not my problem. It is a city problem," he said. "I am not here to make threats, but I need the problem solved."

While a short-term solution is unknown, both Richards and city officials agree the long-term solution is to put a water line in the extension of 1120 North from 700 to 900 West.

Denney said the city would complete the water line when there was money in the budget for the improvement.

"We planned to put it in with the road," he said. Denney said the city planned to install the water line about three feet deep in a six-foot section of material between the top of pipes crossing Mitchell Hollow and the roadway. He said there city would be conducting soil studies to determine is the area in the hollow has compressible soils before the road is built. He said that testing would most likely take at least six months.

Planner Rod Despain said the problem would be solved about September when irrigation needs were diminished, but there was question what to do until then.

Richards said he wanted to look beyond this fall.

"Waiting doesn't answer the question because next spring the water will be back down again," he said.

Tom Hunter built one of the homes in the subdivision and he hopes to be able to move into it when his other home sells. He told about his worries.

"My concern if that whole circle gets developed, how are we all going to be able to take showers, do laundry and water our yardsfi The city shouldn't have be approving subdivisions if they can't provide services."

Although Denney said the city was hiring a consultant to find a solution, he said the city was in compliance with state law.

"A city must provide 20 psi," he said. "We are not deficient by state rule. We are meeting the minimum for a public system by quite a bit."

Hunter said he was still concerned.

"It has got me a little nervous," Hunter said. "I am sure they are going to take care of it. I hope they come up with a solution and help us out."