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WEST JORDAN -- Construction is set to begin on a Utah water district's education facility that will focus on saving water.
State leaders broke ground Tuesday at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District's new WaterSmart Education Center in West Jordan.
The center will promote water conservation and sustainability. It will include exhibits, a greenhouse, office space and rooms for classes, lectures and special events.
"It will be a place for people to come learn about water conservation and remember that it all starts with us, and that conserving water is the smart thing to do," said Richard Bay, general manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
Utah is the second driest state in the nation, yet Utahns consume 258 gallons of water per person per day. About 65 percent of that water goes to outdoor landscaping.
The conservancy says the typical homeowner in Utah uses about twice the amount of water needed to maintain a healthy outdoor landscape.
The 9,400-square-foot building is expected to open in April 2011.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
