This is a story of good news and bad news.
The good is that Washington County reservoirs are in healthy shape, despite an incredibly hot, dry summer.
Both Sand Hollow and Quail Creek are at more than 50% capacity and the recent precipitation has boosted the water supply for what may be a summer where conservation becomes an incredibly important component to this dry but quickly growing area.
“Anytime we get precipitation is a good thing,” said Zach Renstrom, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
Washington County has been recognized has having one of the most forward-thinking water conservation plans in place, investing a billion dollars in a water reuse system.
It caught the eye of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The district was selected as one of five recipients of federal funding to put dollars to work for saving water in the West — an urgent goal due to decades of drought.
“This effort to diversify our tools by taking previously unusable water sources and turning them into new supplies will be instrumental in managing through drought,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton at the time. “These historic investments are allowing these communities to build and expand infrastructure to recycle large amounts of water to meet growing needs.”
What is the problem and are there solutions?
The Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River, is the primary source of water for the district. It also relies on groundwater, but these sources are approaching capacity in an area that is expected to double its population by 2060. The district and its partners are developing a water reuse system to meet demand. Once complete, it will be the largest reuse project in the state.
This is what it entails:
- Three water reclamation facilities to remove and eliminate contaminants prior to reuse.
- An advanced water purification facility to purify reclaimed water, removing impurities and contaminants to make it safe for drinking.
- Four new reservoirs to collect and store water.
- 60 miles of pipeline will convey water throughout the system and deliver reuse water to customers.
When complete, the system is projected to produce more than 24,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2042, enough water to serve more than 40,000 new homes. The system includes multiple pump stations to bring water from lower to higher elevations for more efficient and cost effective delivery.
Balancing the bad and good
At one point this year, Washington County had the driest moisture content in its history, but Renstrom said the rain has changed that dynamic.
“Now we about average when it comes to soil moisture content,” he said.
Renstrom received the Utah Water Pioneer Award at the Utah Water Policy annual luncheon last year, recognizing the innovative work being done through the district under his purview.
His work has not made him exactly the most popular or well-liked figure in Washington County, but the achievements have produced fruitful results after a lot hand shaking and promises.
The district has a motto: “Get off your lazy grass.” And it has followed through. To date, the district has convinced customers to replace 3 million square feet of grass in favor of water-wise plants that are more suitable for that area.
“Right now is the easiest time to conserve water,” Renstrom said. “Unfortunately, we do not set our clocks back in that regard.”