Water

Water is the lifeline of Utah’s economy, agriculture and communities. For our state to continue to prosper, we must secure a reliable supply of freshwater. Over the last several years, Utahns from every corner of the state have united together in one common goal: to save our state from drought. 

The state has invested over $1 billion into water conservation and infrastructure efforts, and we’re continuing to build on those investments with smart water policies. Last year, we established a Water Agent Council to guide statewide efforts, bringing enhanced coordination and planning to water management. We also passed legislation that paved the way for Compass Minerals, a private company, to donate 200,000 acre-feet of water rights annually to the state, equivalent to the combined volume of Causey, Echo, Pineview, Lost Creek and Rockport reservoirs. These efforts help address Utah’s water challenges head-on, laying the groundwork to sustain our quality of life and support growth for the next 100 years and beyond.

The combination of public and governmental efforts, along with two plentiful water years, has led to tremendous results. In November 2022, 100% of the state was in drought. Now, as of October 2024, less than 2% of the state is in severe drought.

However, our work is not done. To ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations, we will continue to support infrastructure projects, expand our water supply and strengthen conservation measures implemented in recent years, ensuring they effectively meet current and future needs.