Gov. Cox declares state of emergency in 17 counties over drought concerns

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency over drought concerns in 17 counties, and issued recommendations on conserving water throughout the state.

“We’ve been monitoring drought conditions closely, and unfortunately, our streamflow forecasts
are low, particularly in southern Utah,” Cox wrote in a press release Thursday. “I urge all Utahns to be extremely mindful of their water use and find every possible way to conserve. Water conservation is critical for Utah’s future.”

According to the Governor’s office, Utah’s snowpack had peaked

around Mar. 23 at 14.3 inches, stating it was only 14% of Utah’s normal snowpack. Cox also reported that current reservoir reserves are only at 84%, which he said would “help” the drought, but preparations were needed to help with the summer ahead.

According to the release, 42% of the beehive state is in severe drought, and 4% is in extreme drought. The 17 counties the governor lists in the declaration are:

• Washington
• Iron
• San Juan
• Kane
• Juab
• Emery
• Grand
• Beaver
• Garfield
• Piute
• Millard
• Tooele
• Uintah
• Carbon
• Sevier
• Sanpete, and
• Wayne

The order puts into effect the state emergency operations plan, and calls the Drought Response Committee to begin reviewing hardships caused by the drought, identify actions to meet the needs of those hardships, and ensure agencies are coordinating between themselves regarding the drought.

Additionally, the Governor has issued recommendations to water companies. Asking them to:

• Encourage efficient landscape watering, and
• Contact the Division of Water Resources for assistance, as needed, with developing drought response plans.

These kinds of declarations also allow many local water districts to receive emergency funding to help with water conservation. In an interview with Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, he told ABC4.com how crucial some of these programs are for rural agricultural areas.

“We appreciate [the declaration],” Bennett said in an interview. “That makes certain programs available to the agricultural community in the area. The farmers are going to get just about a third of the water they would normally get, and that is a pretty severe situation for them, and so some of these programs open up when the Governor makes that declaration.”

The Governor is also asking cities and counties to consider implementing restricting measures and other water conservation policies for the upcoming irrigation season to protect “drinking water supplies.” In past drought seasons, this has often taken the form of restricting watering times, shutting water, and other policy changes.

The declaration is also asking residents to employ water conservation in their everyday routines. These include:

• Reducing outdoor water use and waste
• Fix irrigation leaks and inefficiencies
• Convert turf areas to water-wise landscapes with drip irrigation
• Consider purchasing a smart-time controller or low-flow toilet.
• The Governor advises using rebates that are available at Utah Water Savers.
• Reduce indoor water use by fixing leaks

“It’s really important that there be more awareness,” Bennett told ABC4.com. “That we have a very limited water supply this year because we didn’t have the snowpack.”

The Governor’s order and the programs it opens up is only in effect for the next 30 days. If the declaration needs to be extended, it will have to come by approval of the State Legislature.