Latest news with #SaltLakeCityDepartmentofPublicUtilities
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
With water use up amid heat, SLC officials urge residents to be mindful of drought and conserve
The Provo River Delta is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Salt Lake City officials warned this week that water use is up this time of year compared to the past several years, and they're urging residents to be mindful of their consumption amid heat and drought. As Utah has seen an unusually warm spring this year — with temperatures in the Salt Lake valley reaching the 90s some days — the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities issued a news release Thursday warning that water use is up both overall and outdoors. The department reported water demand in recent weeks has been 'trending upward compared to the average water demand over the last three years during the same time period.' Great Salt Lake is again on the decline, and summer likely won't help it 'We must protect our natural resources and support efforts for the Great Salt Lake,' Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall urged in a prepared statement. Laura Briefer, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, said as of Thursday, total water use had increased by 5% in the department's service areas, with outdoor water use up 10%. 'Though snowpack in our area was average this year and our reservoirs are full right now, overall runoff is lower than expected, and much of the state is projecting drought conditions,' Briefer said. 'It is important that our community members continue to focus on water conservation given these factors and the potential for drought conditions to worsen.' In addition to providing water to Utah's capital of Salt Lake City — which is home to more than 217,000 people — the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities also services portions of suburban cities of Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Midvale and South Salt Lake. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 95.5% of Utah was experiencing abnormally dry conditions as of Thursday, with 76.2% in moderate drought and 44.6% in severe drought. About 3.2% — an area concentrated in Washington County in the southwestern corner of the state — was in extreme drought. Utah creeps deeper into drought as long-term forecasts point to a hot summer This time last year, only 23.9% of the state was classified as abnormally dry, according to the drought monitor. Plus, hotter than usual temperatures are expected to persist through the summer. According to the three month seasonal outlook from the National Weather Service, Utah is forecasted to have above average temperatures through August. As for rainfall, the service says it's unclear whether there will be above or below average precipitation this summer. According to its models, there's an equal chance of both in the majority of the state. Salt Lake City officials urged both homeowners and businesses to conserve water. They noted that the city offers a variety of programs meant to reduce water use indoors and outdoors, including landscaping rebates, low-water grass seed, irrigation controllers and water-wise toilets. Here are some of the water conservation programs and resources Salt Lake City officials highlighted: Salt Lake City's Turf Trade site, where customers can order low-water grass seeds. Utah State University's Water Check program, which provides customized pressurized sprinkler schedules for select areas. Salt Lake City's Rain Barrel program, which sells rain barrels to Salt Lake City Public Utilities customers. Utah Water Savers' Slow the Flow incentives programs for water-smart landscaping, toilet replacement, and smart sprinkler controller installation. Central Utah Water Conservancy District's commercial landscape, controller and toilet replacement rebates program. Salt Lake City's website that informs how to properly care for and water trees and other ways to conserve water. The Utah Department of Natural Resource's weekly lawn watering guide. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water usage is trending high in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Public Utilities says
SALT LAKE CITY () — As Utah begins to reach the dog days of summer, when temperatures are at their hottest, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) is reporting that water demand is rising. On Thursday, SLCDPU said the water demand over the past few weeks has been trending higher when compared to the average water demand during the same time period over the last three years. 'To date, total water use has increased five percent, with outdoor water use up 10 percent,' said Laura Briefer, SLCDPU director. 'Though snowpack in our area was average this year and our reservoirs are full right now, overall runoff is lower than expected and much of the state is projecting drought conditions.' Utah's snowpack has been trending downward since the record-breaking year in the 2022-23 winter season. In 2024, the snowwater equivalent peaked at 18.8 inches compared to 2023's 30 inches. shows that the 2025 year peaked only at 14.4 inches. Carp chaos at Utah Lake as carp overpopulation becomes serious problem Since the start of the calendar year, drought conditions have been across the state. Only 4.5% of Utah has no drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, down from 11.78% at the start of the year. Over 95% of the state is experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions, and 44% of Utah is in severe drought. 'It is important that our community members continue to focus on water conservation given these factors and the potential for drought conditions to worsen,' said Breifer. The majority of Utahns per week, as of the most recent entry in the Utah Division of Water Resources' weekly watering guide. The Division of Water Resources said lawns can sustain a large amount of overwatering before any negative consequences like disease, weeds and insect pests become apparent. 'Because of this, it's typically overwatered,' DWR said. 'One way to conserve water and maintain plant health is to avoid overwatering.' BYU geologist studies shrapnel remains from WWII buried in the sands of Normandy The weekly watering guide, which is typically updated every Thursday, assumes you use only half an inch of water per watering event. But every system is different. For the most accurate run time and for your watering system, DWR recommends getting , available in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Iron County and San Juan County. For those where the free water check is not available, on how to complete your own water check. The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities said there are many different ways for homeowners, property owners and businesses to lessen their demand on water. These range from landscape rebates to low-water grass seeds and irrigation controllers to toilets. To learn more, you can visit the or GOP blocks Democratic effort to combat Pentagon renaming of USNS Harvey Milk President Trump rolls out new travel ban Congressional Hispanic Caucus condemns travel ban Trump threatens to cut 'crazy' Musk's government contracts Woman allegedly leaves infant in hot car for nearly two hours in South Salt Lake Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cottonwoods Connection project resumes, road closure in place
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4) — The Cottonwoods Connection project — which aims to connect the water supplies of both the Big and Little Cottonwood water treatment plants — resumes on Monday, April 14. The project will allow for untreated water to be transferred to either plant for treatment. That means that if either plants needs to be reduced in capacity or taken offline while under construction, there will still be a continuous water supply. Here are some key elements of the project: Add new steel pipeline parallel to existing Salt Lake Aqueduct Replace the capacity of the existing Little Cottonwood Conduit pipeline Protect against seismic activity Optimize the use of limited water resources Create long-term resiliency to overall water system Work will be completed on Cottonwoods Connection 1 — just one of three pipelines that make up the project. The pipeline is reportedly a 36-inch steel pipe beginning at the existing Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant and moves west, meeting at the existing Salt Lake Aqueduct near Nutree Drive. Fort Union Blvd. from 3000 East to Wasatch Blvd. will be closed to through traffic. Detour signs will be posted. Access to Fort Union Blvd. from Nutree Drive will be closed. Local residents will have access on either side of Nutree Drive. Expect daytime construction and occasional weekend work. This project will be ongoing throughout the summer. See a map of the closure below. The project will reportedly save 24,000 acre-feet of storage in Deer Creek Reservoir annually during the construction of the Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant. This is the equivalent of fulfilling the water needs of around 110,000 people. This project is a joint effort from the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities and the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy. For more information on the Cottonwoods Connection project, visit their website here. El Salvador's president says he won't return mistakenly deported man 'Utah just really stood out': Utah Royals defender Alex Loera talks transfer to the Beehive State Vineyard residents allege city violated state law in complaint against $35M bond, city calls claim 'unfounded' Cottonwoods Connection project resumes, road closure in place What position will Travis Hunter play in the NFL? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
