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Prepare for the Future. Conserve Water.

Posted at 2:01 PM, Sep 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-01 16:01:42-04

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The following article is sponsored by the Utah Division of Water Resources.

During National Preparedness Month, the Utah Division of Water Resources (DWR) reminds Utahns to adjust their automatic sprinkler systems and reduce watering times.

Eric Klotz, DWR Water Conservation and Education Section Chief, explained the need to conserve.

“The state’s reservoir systems worked perfectly this year, storing the below average snowpack and releasing water to users throughout the dry, hot summer,” Klotz said. “But because the reservoirs were not full at the start of the season, we are asking people to be a little more conscious of their water use this fall. Water less frequently. Watch the weather and if it looks like it will rain, turn off your system.”

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With September’s shorter days and cooler nights, watering lawns once or twice a week is usually sufficient. The few brown spots that might appear as a result actually strengthen a lawn’s root system. “Stressing your lawn a little helps it come back stronger next season,” said Klotz.

And consider shutting down your sprinkler system a little earlier this year. Because of the low reservoir levels, many of the state’s secondary systems are shutting their water off early – on October 1.

“Everyone should consider doing the same,” says Klotz. “That way, the water we don’t use in this late season will be there next season. This will be especially important if we get another bad snowpack again.”

This water conservation message, delivered by the Governor’s Water Conservation Team and its “Slow the Flow” campaign, is helping to change behavior. Since the year 2000, water conservation efforts have resulted in a statewide reduction in per capita water use of about 18-percent.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert has set a statewide goal of reducing per capita water use by at least 25-percent by the year 2025.  This year, water use is on par with 2012, even though summer weather has been hotter and drier statewide.

“This water usage shows that people are really trying to change their habits, watering only what the landscape needs, and creating a long-term water conservation ethic,” said Klotz. “We want to thank the citizens of the State of Utah for becoming more water-wise.” “We’re all told to save for a rainy day. Well, it’s important that we save for non-rainy days, too,” Klotz said. “We’re not telling people anything different than what we have always said. Slow the flow. Save H2O.”

Utah residents can visit slowtheflow. org for a weekly lawn watering guide, as well as tips on how to conserve water. The lawn watering guide is also available on Twitter (UTAHSavesH2O) and Facebook.

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