Water Conservation

Utah’s snow-water equivalent is well above median, and currently none of the state is in a severe-to-extreme drought. But Utahns shouldn’t relax about their water supplies just yet.

Officials from Utah’s Division of Water Resources met with Cache Valley residents Tuesday night in an effort to continue educating Utah citizens about water conservation. The open house comes a day after Governor Gary Herbert declared Utah in a state of emergency due to drought.

The Utah Division of Water Resources has developed a statewide rebates program to encourage water conservation. The legislative-sponsored program offers rebates on technologies ranging from irrigation controllers to low-flow toilets.  

On Sept. 27, officials from the United States and Mexico finalized Minute No. 323, an addition to the treaty that outlines how the two nations share water from the Colorado River.

If you live in Utah, the Utah Division of Water Resources estimates you will use 240 gallons of water today.

In anticipation of Utah's growing population, Gov. Gary Herbert announces a 50-year water management plan for Utah. Salt Lake County Council Member Jenny Wilson announces her candidacy against seven-term Sen. Orrin Hatch. And the White House officially nominates Jon Huntsman Jr. as ambassador to Russia. 

Advances in sensor technology and data storage are dramatically changing how scientists understand human behavior. And residential water use is a behavior that effects citizens across the West. 

The state of Utah is facing some water challenges. Utah is the second driest state in the nation and consumes the most water per capita. The population is also predicted to double by the year 2060, according the Governor’s Office. To help meet current and future needs, the Utah Division of Water Resources has launched a campaign called “H2Oath: Utah’s Water-wise Pledge.” The program encourages Utahns to actively participate in water conservation.

  When it comes to water, what would it take to get to the point where we turn on the faucet and nothing comes out?

“We almost saw that scenario in California this last summer, and frankly it didn’t take that many poor winters for California to experience the most severe drought on record.”

Friday, in a follow up to Growing Algae From Fracking Wastewater As A Biofuel, the research team at USU is finding new ways to feed the world as well, they have found that algae is high in protein and in nutrients.

In a small, shanty greenhouse a churning machine spins disks and barrels covered in black green colored algae. The researchers here are testing the most efficient way of growing these multipurpose organisms.

Blanding has a population of more than 3,500 people with a history of conserving water that they are proud of, according to Jeremy Redd, the city manager of Blanding.

“People take a lot of pride in the fact that they’re conserving," Redd said. "And letting their lawns get brown and that kind of thing.”

He said Blanding’s water usage in the 2013 water year used 18 percent less culinary water than in 2012. The town’s 2014 water usage isn’t as impressive, but it is estimated to be close.