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Jed Boal ReportingIn recent years Utahns have substantially slowed the flow of water, cutting consumption more than 25-percent in the last three years. But critics say not all water companies are doing what they're supposed to do to push conservation.
As our water supply in the state plummeted (slowed to a trickle), we were told to save water and most of us have. The state gave water companies orders too, but a survey shows most have not followed those orders.
Before the drought tightened it's grip and forced Utahns to consider conservation the legislature passed a law in 1998 that told water companies to prepare a water conservation plan that spells out how they will save water. But conservation watchdogs say two out of three water companies do not comply. Only one in three have submitted an adequate plan with the State Division of Water Resources.
The sponsor of The Water Conservation Act and the Utah Rivers Council say several water companies set a good example while others have not even bothered to comply with state law.
Zach Frankel, Utah Rivers Council: “The entire class of water suppliers is failing to save water. Five years into this drought we can't just look at a few are saving water for the whole class."
Forty water suppliers have not submitted plans. Some, however, like Provo City Water and Ogden City Water, say they promote conservation among their customers and have saved water in recent years. Both say they will submit plans when they are complete.
The Utah Rivers Council wants the state to step up and put more funding into long-term conservation plans.
