ST. GEORGE — Although Utah experienced record snowpack this last winter, Gov. Spencer Cox is emphasizing water conservation in order to increase the state’s “drought resiliency.”
As a part of this push, the governor issued an executive order on Wednesday for all state facilities to review their compliance with state-issued conservation requirements and coordinate with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management and the Division of Water Resources to implement and follow those requirements, as well as follow the Division of Water Resources’ weekly watering guide.
“While we are thankful for the record-breaking snowpack we received this season, we have to keep up the good work of conserving this precious natural resource,” Cox said in a press release. “Maintaining and expanding existing water-saving measures will only increase Utah’s ability to grow sustainably.”
The governor issued a somewhat similar order in 2021 when the drought became particularly severe.
Closer to home, the Washington County Water Conservancy District shared the following outdoor watering tips as part of its May newsletter.
Lawns: The cycle and soak method of sprinkler watering on lawns allows water to soak deep into the soil creating healthy roots and eliminating runoff.
- Run thjree cycles per watering day.
- 1 hour between each cycle.
- 5 minutes for a fixed spray or 10 minutes for a rotating spray.
- Monitor and adjust as needed.
Drip irrigation: Drip low and slow to allow plants, trees and shrubs to be watered directly at the root systems using a low pressure for a longer period of time.
Water based on your drip emitter’s rate of flow:
- 20-40 minutes for high-flow emitters.
- 30-90 minutes for low-flow emitters.
It is estimated that up to 60% of the water used in the county and state overall goes toward outdoor watering, which is why the water district and local and state officials stress asks the public to follow recommending watering guides and trading non-functional, water-chugging grass for water-wise landscaping.
Local municipalities may also issue time-of-day watering limits as the summer rolls in.
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