Water Management - Discussion Questions

Background:

Utah is the second driest state in the nation, yet has the second highest per capita water use in the nation. These seemingly contradictory facts are a result of our extensive system of storage and distribution of irrigation water – snowmelt that is trapped and used throughout the growing season. Utah also has a very high growth rate, primarily in urban areas. As our population increases, many water related issues will need to be addressed: How will water that has been used traditionally for agriculture be used in the future? How will the water needs of urban populations be met? Is there a need to build more water reservoirs and is the public willing to pay that cost? How does water conservation fit into this picture? You may want to check with your local Extension or city offices to obtain more detailed information for your area.

 

Discussion Questions

1.  Define western water law and discuss the role it has played in determining how water can be allocated in Utah. 

In states governed by western water law, water may not be removed from a source unless the user has a “water right” to that water. Water rights are owned and sold separately from the land itself. “First in time, first in right” (the doctrine of prior appropriation) is a central theme of western water law. Water is allocated based on seniority of the water right. In times of drought, when water is scarce, the oldest or most senior rights will receive their allocations before less senior water right owners. 

Water rights are tightly regulated, providing for the diversion of specific amounts of water, from a specific point, for a specific use, over a specific amount of time. Under current western law, water rights can be issued to anyone who is putting the water to a “beneficial use.” 

Water must be used or the right to it may be lost. Recent changes in Utah law allow water owners to transfer their rights to the Utah Division of Parks or Wildlife Resources. This water can then remain in the stream to provide the beneficial use of aquatic habitat.

2. Discuss culinary water sources vs. irrigation water (secondary water) sources.  How do these differ?  What water quality considerations are there for both types of water?

There is no single definition of clean water used in water quality. Instead, the Department of Water Quality has determined the designated beneficial uses for each water body in the state and has determined the quality of water necessary to maintain those uses (see table on the next page). The level of protection varies according to the designated use. For example, drinking water sources must be free of many contaminants, while salts are the main contaminant of concern for irrigation water. 
All waters of the state that do not meet their “designated uses” require a watershed protection plan.  Water used for culinary purposes (e.g. Big Cottonwood Canyon) requires a separate source water protection plan. For example, dogs are not allowed up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City because the water coming from this area is used for drinking water.  This is an example of regulation that is enforced for drinking water sources, but would not be an issue for agricultural water sources.

Beneficial uses of water (partial list)

Class 1 – Drinking water designations      1C – Domestic purposes with prior treatment (drinking water) Class 2 – Protected for recreation and aesthetics      2A – Primary contact for recreation (swimming)      2B – Secondary contact for recreation Class 3 – Protected for aquatic wildlife      3A – Coldwater species of game fish and other aquatic life      3B – Warmwater species of game fish and other aquatic life      3C – Nongame fish and other aquatic life      3D – Waterfowl, shore birds and other water oriented wildlife Class 4 – Protected for agriculture uses (irrigation and stock watering) Class 5 – Protected for the Great Salt Lake only (primary and secondary contact recreation, aquatic wildlife and mineral extraction)

 

3.  Discuss conservation versus new water development.  Discuss the table on the Resource page of costs/1000 gallons in different cities.  Do you think that the price of water is a “tool” for encouraging conservation practices?  What other approaches might work?

 

• Rewards for conservation (e.g., lower prices for users who consume under a certain level of gallons per month).
• Penalties for exceeding a certain level of water use per month.
  
• More education on the need for water conservation.
  
• Different prices for water used for different purposes (e.g., irrigation water is subsidized).