SALT LAKE CITY -- Speaking at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City, Gov. Gary Herbert points to one thing limiting growth in the Beehive State.
“Water is the only limiting factor to the growth that’s taken place in the state of Utah," he said.
Herbert said when it comes to changing that, everyone has a role to play.
With rain blanketing the state, some areas getting more than 1.5 inches, which means the opportunity to conserve is now.
"We don't expect needing watering for another four, five or six days," said Linda Townes, the Public Information Officer for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
It may not sound like much, but little changes can make a big impact.
"We're asking homeowners to water one time less per week. That's important because that will save 3,000 gallons per week for every home," said Richard Bay, General Manager for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
He said two-thirds of the consumer water used in Utah goes outside, mostly on landscapes.
If you are not sure if it’s time to water your lawn, there are online guidelines to help that are updated weekly if not daily depending on the weather.
Besides skipping a watering, the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy has a few tips.
- Spread out your watering to allow water to seep into the ground
- Try watering 15 minutes, waiting an hour, then watering another 15 minutes to get to a half hour of watering (or whatever total time your lawn requires)
- Water between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to limit evaporation loss.
According to the governor, the average use per-person in Utah is 240 gallons of water a day. The state has set a goal to cut consumption by 25 percent by 2025. Governor Herbert is calling it not just necessary to sustain growth, but also maintaining the state’s legacy.
"As our pioneer ancestors said, make this desert blossom as a rose," he said.
