Gov. Cox highlights new water conservation efforts

Gov. Spencer J. Cox outlines efforts to save water at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District’s Conservation Garden in West Jordan. Photo: Utah State Office of the Governor

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Gov. Spencer Cox joined state water officials today to discuss Utah’s current conservation efforts.

“This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more,” Gov. Cox said. “So many Utahns are doing their part to save water, which is fantastic, but there’s much more we can do.”

At this time last year, just one percent of the state was considered to be in “exceptional” drought, the highest drought classification according to the US drought monitor. Today, that number is up to almost 70 percent, with the remaining 30 percent of the state in “extreme” drought, the second-highest classification.

Cox highlights four areas for the state to focus on:

• Install secondary water meters — areas that already have one installed have seen water use reduced by up to 30%.
• Integrate land use and water planning — the state is working with local officials to adopt new efficiency standards.
• Continue investing in agricultural optimization — further investment will help improve efficiency for water use on agricultural lands.
• Establish a statewide turf buyback program — this program incentives people to replace their grass (Jordan Valley’s “Flip Your Strip” program)