DRAPER, Utah — In the middle of a statewide emergency drought, Salt Lake County announced it will cut its water use by 5% and is challenging residents to do the same.
The reduction will save at least 43.3 million gallons of water this year, county officials said Thursday.
READ: Hold off watering lawn after Utah declares drought emergency
In addition, if 25 percent of the county's residents conserved a similar amount, two million gallons of water would be saved every day, the equivalent of nine lap swimming pools.
“Water conservation is critical to the well-being of our community as we grow and adapt to the changes our landscape faces,” Mayor Jenny Wilson said. “I’m eager for Salt Lake County to commit to this water savings and serve as an example, because when we all do a little, we can save a lot. And we must save.”
In March, the state declared a state of emergency due to due to drought conditions, allowing for state and federal resources to be used to help farms and communities.
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“Most of the Wasatch Front is in an ‘exceptional’ drought, the most severe type of drought. Our snowpack is well below average, even after precipitation in March and April,” said Salt Lake County Watershed Manager Robert Thompson. “Water conservation is paramount in addressing mounting water availability concerns.”
Salt Lake County also launched a new website where residents can learn which water district serves their homes.
