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Show AAG TheSalt Lake Tribune OPINION Sunday, August 3, 1997 Salt Lake’s Water Needs Are Real, But Let’s Think Before Paying More BY DANIEL McCOOL this additional water come from? We hearit often, in the news,in government publications, in political speeches. Salt Lake is running out of water, and we needto build massive govern- mentprojects thattake waterfrom other parts of the state andpipeit to the Salt Lake Valley. These pro jects are enormously expensive. bu' die of thirst, do we? Before we spend any more money, let's take a look ata fewfacts. People in the Salt Lake Valley now use about 200,000 acre-feet of water annually for home use (an acre-ivot of water is the amount of water a family of fourwill typicallyuseina year). All ofthis water is treated to drinking-water standards — an expensive process — but half of it is used to water our lawns. The county projects that ancther 200,000 acrefeet will be neededin the next 40 years (assuming no significant water conservation). These projections have given rise to this pervasive belief that we are running out of water. But such projections assume that all water needs, including watering lawns, must be met with expensive treated drinking water. Becauseof this assumption, Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City tend to rely on big water projects to import more water into the valley. Recently they built Jordanelle Dam aspart of the CUP. Nowthe countyis proposing to build another large project on the BearRiver, which will cost taxpayers somewhere between $220 million and $300 million. Theproposal to divert the Spanish Fork/Nephi pro- ject north to Salt Lake wouldeliminate the need to build the Bear River Project, but Spanish Fork/Nephistill 300 million. Thereis an alternative. We cansaveat least $500 million in project costs and placethe financial burden on those who create it rather than the taxpayer. This alternativeis called a dual watering system. TheSalt Lake County Commission could solve our Instead of looking at Spanish Fork, or the Bear River, the answer lies right here in thevalley. It is true that we have a limited supply of high-quality drinking water, but we have a great abundance of outdoor quality water. There are three major sources. First, there is a huge underground aquifer that lies beneath the Salt Lake Valley. According to the Salt Lake County Water Conservancy District. at least 125,000 acrefeet could be drawn from this aquifer without draw- ing down the watertable. If we include groundwater of lower quality from the west side of the valley, another 100,000 acre-feet could be obtained. This water is not suitable for drinking without expensive treatment, but it would work just fine for watering lawns in a dual water system. A second source of water comes from whatis known as water ranching. This occurs when cities and counties purchase jocal farmlands, r “tire them and use the water for municipal purposes. This approach has been used effectively in Arizo- na andotheraridstates. Aceording to data from Salt Lake County, 164,000 acre-feet is potentially available from this source. This water could be put to immediate use watering our lawns. Thethird sourceis treated effluent. For outdoor use, a fairly inexpensive treatment process can be use The county could generate another 60,000 acrefeet by using treated effluent in a dual water system. Other cities use treated effluent successfully to water parks, golf courses, and other public areas. It does not take much mathto figure out that these three sources of water would provide more than enough water to meet Salt Lake's needsinto the dis- tant future. There would be no need to build more big governmentprojects, and the financial burden for supplying additional water would fall on those waterproblenis by requiring all new residential de- whocreated the demand,not currentresidents. velopmentsto install dual water systems. These consist of two sets of pipes; one for indoor uses and one for outdoor uses. Dual water systemsare alreadyin use in a dozen Utah communities, including some neighborhoods in the Salt Lake Valley, and they work quite well. It is expensive to retrofit a dual systemin existing neighborhoods, but it is quite eco- nomical to build them with new construction. Of course, developers will resist this proposal; they would prefer to shift their water development costs onto the taxpayer rather than incorporate their water expenses into the cost of their new subdivisions. But in this ageoffiscal austerity, we must find ways to reduce the cost of government and shift responsibilities from the taxpayerto the individual. A dual water system would help us achievethat goal. To understand the advantagesof a dual water system, it is necessaryto take a quick look at the water supplyin the Salt Lake Valley. The countyclaims it Daniel McCool is a professor of political science at the University of Utah, and the editor of “The needs an additional 200,000 acre-feet. Where will Beehive Credit Union will finance 200% loan-to-value up to $15,000.00 at 2% over prime with nofeesfor up to ten years. 80% loan-to-value loans also available with similar terms. Credit lines must remain openfor'at least EWO years oF a $250.00 penaltywill be assessed. Offer good through Seprember 39, 1997. Ali rates subject to change without notice and certain restrictions apply. BEEHIVE papeereeaten GUSEMAEMEE 1467 South Main Street (801) 484-8811 Waters ofZion: The Politics of Water in Utah.” Heading to the Canyons? You Can Help Keep Our Drinking Water TT canyons surrounding Salt Lake County are wonderful places to cool off during the summer. But as more people enjoy the mountains, more pollutants-like bacteria and animal waste-arefinding their way into our canyon streams. These streams provide much ofour drinking water. Weneed your help to keep our water supply clean and safe. Here are seven easy things you can do to help whenvisi ting our Wasatch Canyons: * Leave your dogsor horses at home * Don’t swim or bathe in any bodyof water * Use designated campsites Be sensitive when camping in the backcountry(camp 200feet from any water source and 1/2 mile from any road, using “leave no trace” camping methods) Keep campfires in designated areas only (whennofire closures arein effect, use Forest Service or City campground fire pits) * No off-road vehicles * Pack it in, pack it out Your cooperation is essential to maintaining our water supply, Don't forget, weall live downstream. This messageis broughtto you by: Salt Lake City Departmentof Public Utilities Salt Lake City-County Health Department + U.S, Forest Service + Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department |
