Is Utah going to run out of culinary water?
Jun 21, 2021, 9:53 AM
Boaters enjoy the sun and water at Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
LAYTON, Utah– Farmers in Utah have had to abandon crops because of a lack of irrigation water. But are we in danger of running out of water for homes?
The short answer is no.
When it comes to culinary water, the state is not in any danger of running out, at least not this year. In the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Deer Creek Reservoir is at just over 73%, and Jordanelle is just under that.
In the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Assistant General Manager Jonathan Parry said they’ve had to limit some of their agriculture supply, but, “We’ve got adequate capacity at our reservoirs to meet our contracted demand for a two year period.”
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But, smaller water companies that rely strictly on surface water and snowpack might be in trouble.
“They are going to be much more susceptible to having access to lower volumes this year,” Parry said. “This year when the water didn’t come down they’re going to be at a deficit from the get-go.”
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