Gov. Spencer Cox has issued Executive Order 2023-07 requiring continued water conservation efforts statewide. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite the state’s record snowpack, Gov. Spence Cox has issued another executive order emphasizing continued water conservation efficiency throughout Utah.
The goal of Executive Order 2023-07, issued on May 10, is to increase Utah’s drought resiliency by requiring water conservation measures at all state facilities.
“While we are thankful for the record-breaking snowpack we received this season,” the governor explained, “we have to keep up the good work of conserving this precious natural resource.”
Utah is one of the driest states in the nation, with some portions of the state having experienced drought conditions every year since 2000.
Fortunately, Cox added, Utahns have conserved billions of gallons of water over the past two years, thanks to the conservation efforts of individual Utahns combined with infrastructure and efficiency measures by the state government.
Under Cox’s most recent executive order, state agencies are required to assess their compliance with recent water conservation guidelines; coordinates with the divisions of Facilities Construction/Management and Water Resources to follow their water conservation standards; and follow the weekly watering guides issued by the Division of Water Resources.
State facilities impacted by Executive Order 2023-07 are defined as buildings or structures that are owned or controlled by a state governmental entity.
However, the governor’s order specifically exempts buildings or structures controlled by the Utah Legislature; the state’s Judiciary branch; the state offices of the Attorney General, the Treasurer and the Auditor; and the State Board of Education.
While non-blinding, Cox also issued a series of recommendations for water suppliers and Irrigation companies; city and county officials; and home-owners statewide.
Where possible, he suggested, water suppliers and irrigation companies should delay the start of the irrigation season this summer and end irrigation early. They should also encourage their customer to practice efficient landscape watering.
The governor also recommended that Utah cities and counties develop and adopt water efficiency standards for all new residential, commercial, institutional and industrial construction. In addition, Cox advised local officials to evaluate opportunities to limit/replace lawns at city and country facilities and to investigate new technologies to meter water consuming processes.
For homeowners, Cox recommended they reduce both indoor and outdoor water waste by converting non-functional grass areas to water-wise landscapes; replace old appliances with water-efficient models; and delay or reduce outdoor landscape watering.
“Maintaining and expanding existing water-saving measures will only increase Utah’s ability to grow sustainably,” Cox promised.
Executive Order 2-23-07 takes effect immediately and state officials say the governor’s order will remain in effect until it is no longer needed.