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Show Special Bulletin to Water Users of State Issued as Warning by Utah State Engineer State Engineer Wayne D. diddle did-dle this week issued a special bulletin to water users, prompted by the continued dropping of water wa-ter levels throughout the state. His special bulletin was as follows: fol-lows: Water levels have been dropping drop-ping In many areas of the state over the past several years. Such changes are largely the result of three factors: 1 General drought conditions. condi-tions. 2 Storage in upstream reservoirs, re-servoirs, lining of canals and more efficient conveyance and use of surface water. 3 Increased use of water from the underground. The decline in 1961 and the anticipated an-ticipated lowering in 1963 are due largely to the first factor. Precipitation is the ultimate source of ground water. During years of low precipitation, less water gets into the ground aquifers. aqui-fers. Some wells and springs cease to flow and water tables drop generally. Drought years also cause the owners of wells to pump more than usual because be-cause surface supplies are below normal. And it causes more "water "wa-ter saving" steps to be taken and some water formerly lost to some users is the basic reason for the drops in water pressures or levels. le-vels. In addition to dropping water levels, some water users who rely on flowing wells find that they decrease in flow due to caving, rusting of the casing, because be-cause they have filled with sand and algae, or because of other reasons. During times of water shortage and increased demands ,the State Engineer encourages all users taking water from springs, flowing flow-ing wells, or shallow water table sources to evaluate their long-range long-range water supplies and needs, and to either singly, or preferably prefer-ably by groups, plan for future use of their water. Drilling of pump wells in the most advantageous advanta-geous area to replace flowing wells, may be the best solution to the overall problem. The State Engineer recognizes the basic right of all water users with their priorities .This includes includ-es artesian wells, springs and shallow water table wells. We feel, however, that the responsibilities responsi-bilities for maintaining adequa cc diversion facilities rests wth tie water user but will offer all possible pos-sible help in completing necessary neces-sary changes to transfer these rights to more efficient and less wasteful water diversions. The public should understand that the law requires certain minimum mi-nimum periods of time for processing pro-cessing of applications and changes, and should, therefore, make any necessary filings at the earliest possible date. |
