UTAH DROUGHT

Utah governor outlines four ways to conserve water in drought

Jul 29, 2021, 2:34 PM | Updated: 4:38 pm

Utah water conserve...

Utah Governor Spencer Cox announcing four new ways to conserve water amid the drought (Mary Richards)

(Mary Richards)

WEST JORDAN, Utah — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, along with water managers from around the state, announced Thursday four new ways to conserve water during the prolonged drought. 

Install secondary water meters to conserve water in Utah

Cox said one-third of all residential water connections use secondary or untreated water. But residents can’t gauge how much water they’re actually using. 

“The majority of these are still unmetered,” he said. “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”

Cox added the areas that have installed secondary water meters have seen a 20%-30% reduction in water use.

According to Cox, the Weber Basin Water Conservatory District has installed 11,000 new secondary meters. He also said legislation passed within the past few years requires meters on new secondary connections.

Better integrate land use and water planning

Another step to conserve water outlined by Cox and water experts is to be more aware of how land usage will impact water sources. 

“How we grow to develop today will set our water use for decades to come,” Cox said. “Really our goal is [that] all new development will be water-wise development in the state of Utah.”

Utah farmers conserve water by implementing better, more efficient technology

Within the past year, efficient water technology saved millions of gallons of water, according to Cox. 

But the cost of water-wise technology can be burdensome to farmers who cannot afford the upgrades. But Cox noted the state government would be willing to help Utah farmers make the transition. 

“We want to accelerate that program to encourage and help farmers use less water and increase their yields,” Cox said. “We have the technology to do that. We have the funds to do that.”

Plant grass wisely

Cox said outdoor water use makes up 60% of the state’s municipal and industrial water use.

Turf buy-back programs help incentivize residents to replace the thirsty grass with water-efficient options. Cox said he would like to expand such programs beyond the local level. 

“We want to be the first state to offer a statewide turf buy-back program,” he said. 

Cox also said residents need to be mindful of where they are planting grass.

“We need to plant grass in areas where it is actively used,” he said. “Rather than using grass as the default ground cover that is only walked on when it is mowed.”

 Read More

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah Drought

colorado river...

Adam Small

More than half of the Colorado River’s water is being used for farming, study finds

The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven states, including Utah, as well as Mexico.

7 hours ago

FILE: 8D Ranch is pictured as owner Kris Getzie walks down a hill at the ranch in Oakley, Summit Co...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Oakley, Utah, adds new water source and lifts development freeze

Almost 1,600 people live in Oakley according to the latest U.S. Census data. Most of them are farmers and ranchers.

3 days ago

Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Here’s how much Lake Powell is expected to rise this year

Lake Powell is projected to receive about 5.4 million acre-feet of water based on conditions this winter.

8 days ago

xeriscaped yard Utah's Landscape Incentive Program...

Don Brinkerhoff

Applications open for Utah’s Landscape Incentive Program

Utah's Landscape Incentive Program could help with costs associated with creating a drought-friendly landscape.

10 days ago

great salt lake shoreline...

Kira Hoffelmeyer

Great Salt Lake expected to rise more this spring; trust unveils 5-year plan to keep it going

Some of the Great Salt Lake's water levels are already high before this year's above-normal collection even melts.

14 days ago

Noah Pirkle snowshoes by the Mill B trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon, utah snowpack looking good...

Becky Bruce

Northern Utah snowpack, water in good shape ahead of spring runoff

The director of the Utah Division of Water Resources says the Utah snowpack "has been consistently above normal since the beginning of February."

21 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah governor outlines four ways to conserve water in drought