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While enduring six years of drought, Utahns generally adopted a water conservation mindset. All who cut back on their use of our region’s most precious natural resource – water – deserve commendation.
Now, though, comes the real test. Mother Nature’s spigot is wide open. Water is flowing forth. The extended drought, it seems, is over. In KSL’s view, the habits changed and attitudes developed during lean times must continue during periods of plenty.
Lt. Governor Gary Herbert expressed it well at meeting of water managers in April: “We live in a desert, so the concern I’ve got and many others is, let’s not forget conservation needs to be second nature.”
What Utahns accomplished during the drought is impressive. Ten years ago, we averaged using 321 gallons of water per person per day. We’ve reduced our use by 17 percent, to 267 gallons. State water officials have a goal of reaching 240 gallons per person per day by 2050. It is readily doable – if Utahns don’t revert to old habits of excess. And it must be done because of the population growth that is coming. The challenge is to avoid letting the sight of overflowing streams and the images of flooding alter our determination to use water wisely. In KSL’s view, it is essential Utahns maintain a conservation mindset.
