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"Get on the same page."
It was a phrase heard time and again April 24 among participants at what Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman called "the first ever local government water summit" held in the county.
In KSL's view, getting on the same page with respect to water conservation is a no-brainer. In this 5th year of drought, such an important discussion is long overdue! There's simply no justification within the relative confines of the arid Salt Lake Valley for a dozen or more different approaches to wise and efficient water use.
Should one municipality be telling its citizens not to water their lawns between 8 and 4, and another between 10 and 6? Of course not! Eliminate the confusion. Let there be standard water conservation guidelines, suggestions and practices.
Commendably, the county and 14 municipalities are focusing on voluntary compliance rather than the adoption of mandatory restrictions and enforcement measures. At this stage, there is no need for so-called "water cops" and other heavy-handed government involvement.
Since the April 24 meeting, local city councils have been discussing the proposed unified guidelines. On May 19 another countywide water summit will be held, hopefully, to finalize agreement and eliminate any confusion that might exist.
It is good they are finally getting on the same page.
