Water Conservation

Why are we talking about water conservation? Utah is the 2nd driest state in the country. Due to population growth (Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation), climate change, drought conditions, water supply and aging infrastructure, conservation is our reality. Utah's population is expected to double by the year 2060. Water studies show that the projected demand for water is greater than the reliable water supply. ‘Reliable supply’ is based on the highest demand day(s). This year’s legislation includes laws regarding overage fees in relation to water conservation. Our state legislators passed H.B. 274 which incentivizes water conservation by making higher water usage more expensive. There are great tools for Utah residents to learn ways to conserve and manage your water use. 

Improving outdoor irrigation will achieve the greatest water savings in our current water situation. Studies have found that as meters are installed, users are using less water because they are able to see and track their water usage. Outdoor irrigation and agriculture account for 79% of all water usage in Utah. Approximately 60-65% of municipal water is being used for landscape needs.

The following conservation efforts are helping with conservation including water efficient standards, conservation efforts, conservation education, turf buy back incentives, agricultural optimization, secondary water meters, air quality monitoring and monitoring and data enhancements and improvements. 

Here's some great tools, resources and information for water conservation:

Localscapes - The Localscape approach is a series of landscaping patterns and practices that takes into account Utah's unique climate. Its good landscape design, simplified. Now you can have a landscape that works for where you live. - https://localscapes.com/

Weekly Lawn Watering Guide - Gives weekly recommendations for lawn watering: https://conservewater.utah.gov/weekly-lawn-watering-guide/. For our area, recommended watering is twice per week for most of the irrigation season.

Slow the Flow - Great resources including a Utah Plant Selector tool, rebates & incentives - https://slowtheflow.org/

Utah Water Wise Plant List - https://water.utah.gov/water-wise-plants/

Homeowner Landscape Resources - https://conservewater.utah.gov/landscape-resources/

Center for Water Efficient Landscaping - https://extension.usu.edu/cwel/

Utah Water In the News

Utah officials promote water-wise yards for long term conservation, KSL, June 23, 2025 - https://ksltv.com/local-news/utah-officials-promote-water-wise-yards-for-long-term-conservation/789225/

Park City approved water deal to boost snowmaking at Deer Valley, Townlift, June 20, 2025 - https://townlift.com/2025/06/park-city-approves-water-deal-to-boost-snowmaking-at-deer-valley/

Wasatch Front water managers concerned by new usage trends, KSL, June 9, 2025 - https://www.ksl.com/article/51326449

Hearing on Silver Creek Estates water rates and fees set for May, Park Record, April 25, 2025 - https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/04/25/hearing-on-silver-creek-estates-water-rates-and-fees-set-for-may/

Gov. Cox Issues Drought Executive Order, Water conservation critical as Utah's water supply faces a drier year, News Release from the Governor of Utah, April 24, 2025

Kamas City Considering Water, Sewer Rate Increases, KPCW, April 10, 2025 - https://www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2025-04-10/kamas-city-considering-water-sewer-rate-increases

Park City Officials Considering a new water rate system for single-family homeowners, KPCW, April 7, 2025 - https://www.kpcw.org/park-city/2025-04-07/park-city-studying-new-single-family-water-rate-structure-to-penalize-overuse

Provo Considering Water Rate Hikes to Address Aging Infrastructure, KSL, February 12, 2025 - https://www.ksl.com/article/51250951

Silver Creek Estates residents decry proposed hike in water overage fees, Park Record, February 8, 2025 - https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/02/08/silver-creek-estates-residents-decry-proposed-hike-in-water-overage-fees/

Cedar City Council buys over $5.3 million in water rights, Cedar City News, February 4, 2024 - https://www.cedarcityutah.com/news/government-news/cedar-city-council-buys-over-5-3m-in-water-rights/article_f3e40dc6-b49e-5a30-8725-651bb16696d1.html

Huntsville Residents Still Without Water, Leak Not Found, December 14, 2024: https://www.abc4.com/news/northern-utah/huntsville-residents-still-without-water-leak-not-found/

Utah Water Study Recommends Pricing Changes, KSL, November 20, 2024: https://kslnewsradio.com/2156966/utah-water-study-recommends-pricing-changes/

Utah Cities Have Cheapest Excessive-Use Water Rates of All Surrounding States, KSL, December 11, 2023: https://www.ksl.com/article/50813031/utah-cities-have-cheapest-excessive-use-water-rates-of-all-surrounding-states

Utah Department of Natural Resources Water Infrastructure Senate Bill 34 Study November 2024: https://water.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Water-Infrastructure-Funding-Study-DNR-SB34.pdf

Utah Tries a New Water Strategy: https://civileats.com/2024/11/05/utah-tries-a-new-water-strategy/