American Fork may implement early water restrictions


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AMERICAN FORK — Utah is facing more drought conditions this summer, and Tuesday night the American Fork City Council will vote on restrictions for outside watering.

The city's irrigation pond may be full today, but as city leaders watch the snow quickly disappear from the mountains, they are ready to take action to ensure the American Fork community has enough water to get through the summer.

The city council plans to save water by restricting outside watering to just three days a week. Watering will also be restricted during the daytime.

Similar conservation measures implemented last July helped the city save 11 percent more water. But residents don't have to worry about running out of drinking water.

“We will be able to provide the culinary water that is needed,” said Dale Goodman, public works director. “But with pressurized irrigation, we need a little help to conserve so we can provide enough for everyone.”

Water restrictions this early in the season are unusual, but according to Utah's snow survey supervisor, it's a good idea, especially in Southern Utah.

“Everything south of I-70 is in a world of hurt. You are looking at anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of average,” said Randy Julander of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The mountain ranges that drain into Utah County are also running out of snow quickly, but further north the outlook is better.

“When you look up towards the north, the Bear and the Weber (reservoirs) are doing average, and this year average looks really, really good,” Julander said.

But Julander believes reservoir storage in the state should prevent serious water shortages, especially as users work to conserve.

“We are not in unprecedented country, it has been much worse. But it is not a place we like to be,” Julander said.

American Fork city leaders say if these water restrictions are implemented tonight, they will make sure the community is educated before they start implementing any penalties.

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Sam Penrod

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