The Utah Division of Water Resources is seeking public input on the preliminary draft of the 2026 State Water Plan. The public comment period is scheduled to run from July 23 through August 23, 2026.
This update follows a collaborative process involving state agencies, local governments, tribal representatives, watershed councils, water providers, and members of the public. The division also previously organized community gatherings known as Water Talks across the state last August.
The 2026 update focuses on recommending actions for managing Utah's water resources with an emphasis on healthy watersheds, productive agriculture, and vibrant communities. To facilitate engagement, the division will host a virtual open house on July 30, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., which will include a short overview of the plan and a live Q&A session.
Under Utah Code 73-10-15, the Division of Water Resources is mandated to periodically publish a state water plan. These plans are designed to identify current water use and future demand while providing recommendations for policy, implementation, and fiscal support. The process involves data gathering and modeling alongside diverse stakeholders from academia, government, agriculture, conservation, and recreation groups.
Following the passage of HB 280 in 2024, several state and local entities are directed to collaborate with the division on the plan's development. State participants include the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, among others. Local collaboration includes watershed councils and water conservancy districts.
While HB 280 requires the state water plan to be updated at least every ten years, the division has an internal goal of updating it every five years. The last plan was published in 2021 and focused on reliable data, secure supply, and healthy watersheds.
The final version of the 2026 State Water Plan is expected to be made available by December 2026.
