Salt Lake City is under a Stage 2, or mild, Water Shortage Advisory for drought response, according to a notice on the city's website. Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced the advisory following recommendations from the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.
The city is calling for a reduction of 10 million gallons of water per day. Residents and businesses can help reach this goal through voluntary reductions in indoor and outdoor water use.
City facilities and government institutions are required to stay within their irrigation-only meter budgets and reduce indoor water use by 10%. This requirement applies to state, federal, and other local governments within the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities service area.
In Stage 2, reasonable water use is allowed, but the city asks residents to avoid overwatering and wasteful practices. Outdoor water use can be reduced by approximately 30 gallons a day or 210 gallons a week, which can be achieved by watering one day less than usual.
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities suggests several conservation actions, including checking sprinkler systems for broken or misaligned heads, inspecting indoor fixtures for leaks, and delaying lawn irrigation until early May. A free water check service is offered from May to August to help determine efficient outdoor watering levels.
A water shortage contingency plan uses climate, water supply, and demand data to understand the impact of drought on the water supply. These plans identify early warning signs, establish stages and triggers for response actions, and identify vulnerabilities to minimize future impacts.
For additional water-saving tips and landscape information, residents can visit http://www.slcgardenwise.com.
