Citizens for Dixie’s Future to hold open forum on water conservation in southwest Utah
Citizens for Dixie’s Future
The public is invited to participate in a discussion facilitated by Citizens for Dixie’s Future about community water usage from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at the St. George Library in the downstairs conference room. General topics will include conservation, the Lake Powell Pipeline, and the ability of our local water supply to support the projected growth.
Overall, CDF feels that conserving and managing local water supplies is of primary importance and that being exemplary stewards of local sources before looking elsewhere for water is crucial. CDF believes that the risks associated with the Colorado River and the Lake Powell Pipeline as sources of water are too high and that aquatic and riparian environments and water quality standards should to be maintained.
The Washington County area is very dry; however, individual water usage is high, and water prices are low, which results in an unsustainable situation. Local efforts have concentrated too aggressively on water acquisition while neglecting to address usage. Without adequate monitoring of water usage, planning becomes difficult. Implementing simple local measures over time–such as improving the ability to filter and recycle water–will greatly increase community sustainability, and this has been demonstrated by other communities in similarly arid climates.
Dependence upon the Colorado River for water makes little sense in the long run. Current demand already outpaces supply, and drought, litigation, and political conflict make it a potentially undependable and contentious source of water.
The Lake Powell Pipeline proposal is based upon unrealistically high predictions of population growth and various outdated data. The same can be said about construction cost estimates, and the state may not help fund it. Furthermore, the potentially higher costs will be shouldered by the citizens via property taxes, fees, and higher rates, and those costs will be individually higher when population growth does not meet the high expectations forecasted.
In considering future water sources in light of other natural resources that play a vital part in the local tourism-dependent economy, the community has a responsibility to foster and protect its own natural resources. As such, the Virgin River and its tributaries cannot be so heavily drained as to threaten wildlife or disturb natural habitats.
Any issues and questions that can’t be covered in the Wednesday allotted meeting time will be address later. Improvement ideas for CDF’s “Position on Water” will also be discussed. Interested citizens can review it ahead of time at http://citizensfordixie.org/uncategorized/cdf-water-position.
