UTAH DROUGHT

Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District asking communities to reduce water use

WEST JORDAN, Utah — The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District is asking communities to reduce water use by 10%.

This request comes after an official water supply restriction was adopted during Jordan Valley Water’s board meeting on Wednesday. Voluntary reductions in water use fall under Level 1 restriction, according to a press release. 

“Efficient water use is always important,” said Cory Rushton, chair of Jordan Valley Water’s Board of Trustees in a press release. “But in years when available water supplies are lower than average, taking proactive measures to reduce water waste is essential.”

Reduce water use is important

Mandatory watering restrictions are not in place for Jordan Valley Water at this time. However, leaders say water use reductions are still necessary. 

“Our communities voluntarily reduced water use by more than 10% when facing drought conditions last year,” said Bart Forsyth, general manager of Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in a press release. “Our hope is that those efforts continue into this year.”

Forsyth says water that is not used in 2022 will not only help with the existing demands but will also help improve future water supplies, should the drought continue beyond this year.

In an effort to meet its reduction goal, Jordan Valley Water is asking communities to limit outdoor watering to no more than twice a week. Additional guidance can be found here.  

“It’s critical that we respond appropriately to the current drought conditions and adopt practices that
will help us to better prepare for future droughts in our communities, “said Alan Packard, assistant
general manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in a press release. 

Packard says Jordan Valley Water’s drought plan consists of five drought response levels triggered by a variety of things including evaluating water supply availability, snowpack levels, temperature trends, and probable conditions for the following year.

Jordan Valley Water says the available amount of water this year has required a Level 1 response.

Read more:

• Bill would change “use it or lose it” provision of Utah water rights
• Water use down by more than 30% in portions of Salt Lake Valley

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