Utah’s largest water district says there’s enough water — for now
May 5, 2022, 12:55 PM
Very low water levels at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County are pictured after Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially signed key water legislation on Monday, April 18, 2022. (Scott G. Winteron/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winteron/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — The managers of Utah’s largest water system are saying there’s enough water in the Central Utah Water Conservancy District for now.
But that’s not the same elsewhere.
The district says because of its large storage capacity, it’ll be able to deliver the full allotment to wholesale customers this season. In fact, the district says it has actually sold some of its water to the Weber Basin Water Conservancy.
The state reports the Weber district has received very little new storage over the last two years. State drought monitors don’t expect it to get much more, either. The district has limited the amount of water they intend to deliver to its customers this year.
They are also purchasing shares from Echo Reservoirs and from Deer Creek.
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District has some pretty strict restrictions in place.
But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Central Utah’s general manager, Gene Shawcroft, says our current water usage is not sustainable.
“We have to be in a situation where we use less per person because we will not be able to increase the water supply in an amount equivalent to the increase in population,” Shawcroft said.
He says it’s the first time in his career he’s seeing evidence of people cutting back last year. He’s hoping that continues this season.
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