Salt Lake City has entered a Stage 2, or mild, Water Shortage Advisory for drought response, according to a notice on the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities website. Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced the advisory following recommendations from the Department of Public Utilities to address potential water supply shortages.
The city is seeking a reduction of 10 million gallons of water per day through voluntary reductions in indoor and outdoor use by residents, businesses, and institutions. Government facilities and institutions are required to stay within irrigation-only meter budgets and must reduce indoor water use by 10%. This requirement applies to state, federal, and other local governments within the service area.
To assist with conservation, the city suggests residents check sprinkler systems for misaligned heads, repair indoor leaks, and delay lawn irrigation until early May. A free water check service is offered from May to August to help determine efficient outdoor watering levels. Additionally, customers can access the WaterMAPS report via their water bill to identify conservation opportunities or use the SLC TurfTrade program to purchase low-water grass seed.
The city's water shortage contingency plan is designed to monitor and mitigate supply disruptions caused by factors such as climate change, climate variability, contamination, or system interruptions. The plan uses data to identify early warning signs and establish response stages to effect water use reductions.
