Gov. Cox Issues New Executive Order On Utah Drought

Jun 8, 2021, 4:36 PM | Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 4:37 pm

BY MADISON SWENSON AND TAMARA VAIFANUA, KSL TV

KSLTV.com

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox issued a new executive order on drought conditions in Utah, which includes limiting watering at state facilities and encouraging all residents to practice water conservation. He also called for a ban on fireworks for all state and unincorporated lands.

The governor made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at the Utah Capitol.

“All indicators show this could be the worst drought year on record,” Cox said. “Utah state government is leading the way by cutting back on water use at all state facilities, but all of us — from private businesses to local governments to individuals — need to conserve water now more than ever.”

We've issued a new executive order on drought conditions in Utah. Here's a look at what it means:#SlowTheFlow #WaterWiseUtah pic.twitter.com/3g8nUPueqT

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 8, 2021

As of Tuesday, all state facilities have been ordered to reduce watering landscapes to two days per week in northern Utah and three days per week in southern Utah.

Municipalities, businesses and property owners have been asked to do the same.

“We’re the fastest-growing state in the nation and one of the driest. Drought or not, we need to be serious about decreasing our water use,” Cox wrote in a tweet.

We're also asking municipalities, businesses, and property owners to follow suit.

Outdoor watering accounts for 60% of residential use. A single lawn watering for the average quarter-acre lot in Utah uses 3,000 gallons of water, so eliminating one watering can help conserve!

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 8, 2021

The governor also asked all Utahns to conserve water by reducing outdoor water use, avoiding long showers and fixing leaks.

Due to dry conditions and the potential hazard for deadly wildfires, Cox banned the use of fireworks on all state and unincorporated private lands, as well as for SITLA lands.

“Fireworks can ignite fires rapidly, so Utahns should be extremely careful,” the governor wrote in a tweet.

We also need to talk about fireworks.

Because of dry conditions and the potential for deadly fires, we're banning fireworks on all state and unincorporated private lands. The same goes for SITLA lands.

Fireworks can ignite fires rapidly, so Utahns should be extremely careful. pic.twitter.com/tLv3WBJBm4

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 8, 2021

Lastly, Cox encouraged Utahns of all faiths to continue praying for rain after he invited residents to do so over the weekend.

For more information on water conversation, visit SlowTheFlow.org.

Looking for more ways to help? Visit https://t.co/OznZTq8P7f for drought response tips and more.#SlowTheFlow #WaterWiseUtah

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 8, 2021

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