Weber Basin discusses water conservation strategies amid Great Salt Lake concerns

The Great Salt Lake Advisory Council convened on May 14, 2025, to address pressing water management issues that directly impact the community and the future of the Great Salt Lake. A significant focus of the meeting was the urgent need for cities to adopt more sustainable landscaping practices to conserve water resources.

Council members emphasized the critical state of water supplies in Utah, noting that traditional landscaping, particularly the extensive use of turf grass, is unsustainable given the current water scarcity. One member pointed out that while some cities are resistant to adopting new landscape ordinances due to aesthetic preferences, the reality is that existing water practices cannot support such choices moving forward. The council is advocating for a reduction in turf grass by as much as 80%, promoting the use of low-water-use alternatives.

The discussion also highlighted the challenges faced by public water suppliers. With the Bear River project, a potential future water source, unlikely to materialize, the council is grappling with how to meet the growing water demands of residents and agriculture. One member explained that even if reservoirs were drained to provide water to the Great Salt Lake, it would only last a few months before evaporating, underscoring the competing demands for water between human consumption and ecological needs.

Efforts to encourage cities to adopt water-wise landscaping ordinances have seen some success, with around 20 cities participating in programs like "Flip Your Strip," which incentivizes residents to replace traditional lawns with drought-resistant landscaping. However, the council acknowledged that more widespread adoption of these practices is necessary for long-term sustainability.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for community members to engage with their local governments, urging them to support water conservation initiatives. The council stressed that achieving a collective effort across the state is essential to address the ongoing water crisis and protect the Great Salt Lake for future generations.