Washington, D.C. (Oct. 10, 2023)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored the Utah Division of Water Resources with a WaterSense Excellence Award for their work promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2022. WaterSense recognized its Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Excellence Award winners during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 5th. Utah Division of Water Resources was one of 25 Excellence Award winners.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 14, 2023) – Monsoonal moisture has played a critical role in reducing water demand across the state. While it hasn’t significantly boosted reservoir levels, it has been instrumental in curbing the pressure on the state’s water resources.
“Monsoonal moisture may not have been a silver bullet for our reservoirs, but it has been a lifeline in reducing demand,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said, “It reminds us that nature plays an important role in our quest for resiliency, and reducing demand is the one lever we have to pull to secure our water future.”
(more…)
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Water Ways today announced it has hired Tage Flint as the nonprofit’s first Executive Director. Tage Flint brings over 35 years of experience in water resource management to the role, most recently serving as the CEO and General Manager of the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 14, 2023) – As scorching heat returns to Utah, the state’s reservoirs have become crucial sources, fulfilling the needs of residents, agriculture and municipalities. In these times of reliance on water reserves, fostering a waterwise mindset is imperative to ensure sustainability during the inevitable dry years ahead.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (July 13, 2023) – Utah’s water supply continues to benefit from a stellar winter as of the beginning of July. The state has experienced a gradual melt-off, which has helped replenish water reserves.
“Last year, we were facing unfavorable records. Now, we are achieving positive milestones,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said, “This year’s exceptional snowpack offers us a unique opportunity to enhance our resilience to drought by continuing to conserve and preserve our water supply.”
According to the latest data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah has currently received 137% of normal precipitation. This is a significant improvement when compared to last year when precipitation was 7% below normal. Soil moisture has been a major driver for how efficient the state’s runoff has been. The record snowpack kept the soil moisture high. Very little runoff soaked into the soil and instead refilled streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (May 15, 2023) – The Utah Division of Water Resources’ Weekly Lawn Watering Guide, continues to provide valuable guidance to residents. This past week, an additional, Low Water Use Guide was added alongside the traditional guide which includes recommendations specifically for lower water use grass varieties.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (May 10, 2023) – Gov. Spencer Cox has issued an executive order requiring water conservation at state facilities with the goal of increasing Utah’s drought resiliency.
Under Executive Order 2023-07, each state agency will assess its compliance with water conservation requirements for state facilities, coordinate with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management and the Division of Water Resources to implement and follow those requirements, and follow the Division of Water Resources’ weekly watering guide.
(more…)
West Jordan, UT (May 1, 2023) – Utah residents can now receive up to $3 per square foot when they replace their grass with water-efficient landscaping. The state of Utah is rolling out the nation’s first statewide landscape incentive program Monday, May 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the Conservation Garden Park, 8275 S. 1300 West, West Jordan.
(more…)
SALT LAKE CITY (April 25, 2023) — For the second year in a row, the legislative session concluded with significant investments targeting water conservation, efficiency and infrastructure. Our record-breaking winter that delivered the deepest snowpack in state history has certainly helped with our drought conditions, but there’s still a ways to go. These bills will help Utah become more waterwise and drought resilient. Here are some highlights:
(more…)
(Feb. 24, 2023)
The Division of Water Resources is pleased to support the Utah Growing Water Smart Program in conjunction with Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a Center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Western Resource Advocates, and Utah State University’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping. Learn more about the June workshop by visiting Growing Water Smart.
(more…)