July 8, 1999

A new message for Utahns: It's time to start conserving water.

Water companies in the Salt Lake Valley have launched a campaign to stop the waste of water.

Conservationists believe we need to take more drastic measures. News Specialist Jed Boal has the story.

You'll see a lot of the ad in the months ahead, and even more in the years come. It's time to stop wasting water.

Accustomed to cheap, plentiful sources of H2O, Utah just this spring passed it's first water conservation bill.

Utah wastes more water per person than any state. So water companies had to come up with conservation plans.

As part of its campaign, the Jordan Valley Water Conservation District meets with families to help them water more efficiently.

Paul and Meredith Featherstone saw the ad and called. Half of our water goes into our lawns.

But, why would water companies tell their customers to save?

Tage Flint, the assistant manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District says, "We see ourselves as a public agency, not a retail agency trying to make a profit off of water sales."

The Utah Rivers Council is glad, .but says two-thirds of the state's water suppliers have not come up with conservation plans.

Zachary Frankel, the council's conservation director says, "We're also concerned that the state of Utah hasn't forced those water suppliers to comply with the law."

The council thinks only higher water rates will enourage cut backs.

Water companies disagree and think we just need to be more efficient.

Many of us have developed bad habits because the water is so cheap. We water our lawns as though it's the hottest day of the year. Real conservation will take a change in mindset.

"People waste a lot of water, just by not paying attention."

And if we don't pay attention to our wasteful water habits toda, both sides agree increased demand will call for drastic action tomorrow.