Salt Lake County To Reduce Water Use By At Least 5%

DRAPER, Utah -In spite of April showers most of Utah remained in the grips of an extended drought, and in recognition of Earth Day, Salt Lake County committed to reducing water use.

“Water conservation is critical to us, and we must lead by example,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.

Using the swimming pool at the new Draper Recreation Center as a backdrop, Wilson said the county will cut water use by a minimum of 5%, and challenged residents to make the same commitment.

“Saving water doesn’t need to be hard, it can be actually quite easy,” she said. “You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle, you just have to make some tweaks.”

This Earth Day, Salt Lake County is committing to cut at least 5% of water use this year, and I challenge residents to do the same. In March the State declared Emergency Drought Status due to insufficient storms impacting snowpack runoff, soil moisture, and reservoir storage. pic.twitter.com/7g3pbtbF7Z

— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) April 22, 2021

If 25% of residents cut 5% of their water use, the county could collectively save 2 million gallons of water every day, which is the equivalent of nine swimming pools.

Most of the Wasatch Front is in an ‘exceptional’ drought: the most severe stage. Snowpack is 80% of normal, and much of the Great Basin experienced the driest 10 months on record from last April until December.

Here in Utah, about two-thirds of our total water use goes on our yards and we don’t need to water yet.

“Mother Nature is going to continue to provide water for us, and the longer you can stretch that out before you start watering your yard, the healthier your landscape is going to be,” said Cynthia Bee, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District Outreach Coordinator.

That helps train the turf to grow deeper roots.

“You will actually create a landscape that is more resilient, and able to handle whatever we’re going to have thrown at us this summer,” she said.

To save 10%, eliminate one watering day per week, or trim watering times.

“Your water is never going to need water every single day, not even in July,” Bee said.

You can also replace thirsty turf with water-wise plants.

“Keep it where you’re using it for active play, that’s fine,” she said. “But, if the only time you see a certain part of your lawn is when you’re pushing the mower, there’s something else you could do there.”

Adjust your sprinklers so they don’t water the pavement and never use water for cleaning when a broom will do.

You’ll find more tips at SLCoH2O.org.