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Thoughts of conserving water, likely, are not very high on the minds of Utahns these days as they observe the impact of the spring runoff. Water, it seems, is everywhere.
How easy it might be to forget!
While enduring six years of drought, Utahns generally adopted a water conservation mindset. It led to a significant voluntary cut-back in the use of our region's most precious commodity. The fact we've had a couple of good, wet years doesn't negate the reality that Utah's overall climate remains arid. Much of the state is desert.
Water, still, is precious.
A decade ago Utahns, on average, used 321 gallons of water per person per day. Through the drought period it was reduced to about 267. The goal remains reducing daily consumption to 240 gallons per person by 2050.
In KSL's view, the habits cultivated and attitudes developed during the drought must continue during periods of plenty. Without a continued decrease in per capita consumption, the state won't have enough water to meet the demands that will accompany population growth in coming years.
The challenge is to somehow prevent the sight of overflowing streams and the images of flooding from altering our collective determination to use water wisely. Let's continue to "slow the flow."
