Latest news with #WashingtonCountyWaterConservancyDistrict
Business Wire
11-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
St. George, UT Metropolitan Area Grass Replacement Stats on Par with Las Vegas
ST. GEORGE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since 2023, the St. George Metropolitan Area in Utah has replaced nearly 3 million square feet of grass with water-efficient landscaping as part of the Washington County Water Conservancy District's Water Efficient Landscape Program. Since 2023, the Washington County Water Conservancy District's Water Efficient Landscape Program has replaced nearly 3 million square feet of grass with water-efficient landscaping - replacing more lawn per capita than Las Vegas. Share 'To put that into perspective, over the last few years our residents have replaced more lawn on a per capita basis than the national leader in grass replacement – Las Vegas,' said Doug Bennett, district conservation manager. 'In fairness, Las Vegas has already done a tremendous amount of work, but our stats demonstrate our community's commitment to using the resource efficiently.' Bennett oversaw the grass replacement program in Las Vegas for more than two decades before joining the district. The voluntary landscape conversion program is a focus of the district's water conservation efforts because lawns use four times more water than trees and shrubs. A 2023 analysis determined as much as 40% of the region's lawn was decorative, using almost three billion gallons of water annually. Participation in the district's program is increasing annually, with residential conversions more than doubling since 2023. 'The program is the region's most cost-effective way to extend its water supply so it's great to see this level of success,' said Bennett. 'We still have a lot of work to do, but we're trending well.' To address new development, the district's eight municipal customers united to adopt Utah's highest Water Efficiency Standards in 2023. The standards prohibit non-functional lawn in new commercial, institutional and industrial developments and limit lawn in residential developments to 8% of the lot size, with a cap for large lots. To sustain compliance, the district adopted a water rate structure that discourages excess use. The district's water conservation initiatives have reduced the St. George area's per capita water use almost 50% since 2000. The Washington County Water Conservancy District is a not-for-profit public agency that oversees water resources in Washington County, UT. Visit for more information.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington County water officials urge residents to conserve water
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — As summer heats up, water officials in Washington County say the region is entering the season in better shape than people expect. But with dry months ahead, they're still asking residents to do their part. Zach Renstrom with the Washington County Water Conservancy District says while conditions look great on the surface, smart water use is still key this summer. St. George Police share tips for businesses with compromised emails 'Even though we've had a really bad drought this year, our reservoir levels are very healthy,' Renstrom adds. Thanks to above-average storage in recent years, reservoirs like Sand Hollow and Quail Creek are entering the summer near capacity. But water officials say full reservoirs can sometimes lead to complacency. Nearly 70 percent of Washington County's water use comes from homes, and that's where conservation can make the biggest impact. So, what is the message from water officials? Enjoy the summer, but also stay mindful of your impact. 'We live in a desert, and so we need to reflect that,' Renstrom says. 'So we're always encouraging our residents to make sure that they're using water wisely, and they're just being good stewards of a very limited resource that we have here in southern Utah.' The Water Conservancy District adds that even with strong starting levels at Sand Hollow, conservation needs to be a year-round priority, not just when drought hits. Mantua poppies are blooming, rooted in pioneer history Father's Day Gift Guide: Teton Gear is a great gift idea for every active dad MEATER might be dad's favorite gift this year Father's Day Reminder! Discover great gifts for dad at City Creek Center Washington County water officials urge residents to conserve water Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government offers homeowners cash to rip out their lawns: 'It's as simple as check in, dig in, cash in'
Reasons to be Cheerful reported a new way for some Utah residents in Washington County to earn cash and save water: sell their lawns to their local government. Why is the county ready to fork over dollars for lawns? Washington County's already booming 200,000 population is expected to double by 2060, according to Reasons to be Cheerful. The hottest and driest county in the state relies on the Virgin River as its sole water source. Unfortunately, that river basin is under threat from drought due to our planet overheating, and its increasing population is already a strain, leading to overuse. One conservation solution the county has come up with is encouraging homeowners to use more drought-resistant plants by buying their grass through its turf buyback program, which started in December 2022. The Washington County Water Conservancy District has high hopes for the plan. Reasons to be Cheerful reported that they estimate that using regionally appropriate plants can reduce landscape water use from 56 gallons to 11 gallons per square foot. Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the district, said, "I like to say it's as simple as check in, dig in, cash in," per Reasons to be Cheerful. To take part, residents register for the program, a representative measures how many square feet of grass turf needs replacement, homeowners complete the switch within a year, and they get paid after another county inspection. This effort is one of the many initiatives that local and nationwide governments are using to help the environment and protect endangered resources such as freshwater. This buyout plan from Washington County can prevent the area from experiencing a potential water crisis in the future, similar to what's happened in California. In other good water conservation news, Lake Powell, located mostly in Utah, recently reached a three-year water-level high. On the national level, the Inflation Reduction Act has allowed Americans to make their homes and vehicles more energy-efficient with tax rebates that offset costs. The initiative also funded drought mitigation programs and several improvements in water infrastructure. Everyone can do their part to save water and cool down the planet. In addition to using native plants that need less water, homeowners can practice conservation using ancient irrigation methods such as ollas or terracotta pots that slowly seep water into the soil.
