Riverton Mayor Urges Water Conservation

Riverton Mayor Urges Water ConservationRiverton Mayor Trent Staggs is urging residents to do their part to conserve water this summer. This comes as 100% of counties in Utah are experiencing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and as Utah Governor Spencer Cox has issued a declaration of emergency in Utah due to drought conditions.

“With our entire state experiencing a drought this year, I am encouraging Riverton residents to do what they can to conserve water,” said Staggs. “I believe we all need to be more water conscious and work to conserve both in the household and in our irrigation practices. Changing our habits to make conservation part of our everyday lives will help us ensure we always have enough of this vital resource.”

Riverton City operates both culinary and secondary (pressurized irrigation) water systems. Culinary water is purchased wholesale from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. The city is unique in that every residential address has secondary water access available for a flat monthly rate based on lot size; a cost-saving service that most cities cannot or do not provide. The city’s secondary water system gets its water from water shares in several local canals that distribute water from Utah Lake.

“If drought conditions ultimately worsen, it’s possible that supply of water will not meet demand,” said Trace Robinson, public works director for Riverton City. “We would hate for that to ever happen, which is why we are urging folks to start conserving now and begin adopting best practices to limit water usage in the future.”

There is not currently a shortage of supply for culinary or pressurized irrigation water for residents.

The following water conservation practices are encouraged for Riverton residents:

  • Follow the Weekly Lawn Watering Guide, published by the Utah Division of Water Resources.
  • Purchase a smart controller for your irrigation system and apply for a rebate from Utah Water Savers.
  • Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways, where possible.
  • Consider changing your landscaping to a Localscape or xeriscape.
  • Consider participating in the Flip Your Strip
  • Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom rather than water.
  • Reduce shower time.
  • Only run washing machines with a full load.
  • Consider replacing toilets made prior to 1994.

Riverton City is currently in the process of installing an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. Once installed and activated, the system will provide city utility customers 1) real-time access to culinary water usage, 2) the ability to detect leaks or irregularities in usage, and 3) the ability to see and measure usage over time.

Helpful Links:

Press / Media Contact:
pio@rivertonutah.gov
801-208-3189

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