MWH, a worldwide firm based in Colorado, was chosen over four other companies that submitted bids to complete the $5.6 million project.

"We are now beginning the early stages of developing this project. Studies completed previously established the general feasibility of the project and possible alignments. These are now outdated," said Dennis Strong, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. "These studies are needed to better define the project and evaluate it in response to rapidly rising construction costs."

The studies, which will take 18 months to complete, will analyze construction issues, such as the physical route of the 130-mile pipeline. They will also review alternatives of the water needs in the communities the pipeline will serve, as well as water conservation options.

Study results will be turned over to the Bureau of Land Management, which will use the information as part of its own environmental analysis process. The BLM, which manages most of the land the pipeline will be built on, will decide whether to grant permits for the project.

The Lake Powell pipeline will link the giant reservoir on the Utah-Arizona border with Kane and Washington counties. An additional 35-mile spur will be built that will connect the main pipeline with Iron County.