Water use in Utah comes from different systems.

About 80% of the precipitation Utah receives stays in nature. Of the remaining managed water, roughly 80% is used for agriculture and 20% is used for municipal and industrial purposes, such as homes and businesses.

The water delivered to your home is treated drinking water. It is not used for agriculture, including alfalfa. Once treated, this water becomes one of our most limited resources. Right now, about 60% of residential drinking water is used outdoors, mainly on lawns.

That’s where homeowners can make the biggest difference.

What you can do:

  • Delay lawn watering until plants actually need it (typically mid‑May)
  • Avoid overwatering and runoff
  • Reduce or replace unnecessary turf
  • Adjust irrigation for weather and seasonal needs

Small changes across many households help protect our shared drinking water supply.