Water is a BIG DEAL here in Utah! Some facts about the water situation here are below - and if you aren't already taking measures to CONSERVE water, please follow my BLOG for the next few days for some great water conservation suggestions!
1. Utah is the 13th Driest State in the US
2. Utah is ranked #2 in use of water per capita
3. 67% of water from public water systems is used for outside watering.
4. By the year 2012 an average precipitation year will not be enough water without going after other supplies such as Bear River and Lake Powell.
5. By the year 2050 ALL water in the state including Lake Powell and Bear River will not be enough if the population increases as expected.
6. Poaching of water from other States has already started, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (Las Vegas) is currently drilling wells on the Utah / Nevada border south of Wendover and plans to pipe the water to Vegas. Interestingly Utah has plans to poach surface water that would end up in Southern states or Mexico as well. http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=15778
Links to useful Utah Water Facts.
http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-04b.htm#F11
http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-03b.htm
http://www.water.utah.gov/waterplan/uwrpff/Chp-02a.htm#F2
Thanks to John Files of Cascade Water Resources for his contribution to this post. John specializes in water rights, and water quality. If you are buying a home with a well, John can help you insure that the water quality is good, and that the water right is valid.
As always, please feel free to comment with questions!
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