Water Use and Conservation Resources

Mountain Regional Water District's Environmental and Conservation Policy

Mountain Regional Water takes conservation and protection of its natural resources very seriously. While we may presently enjoy the luxury of a few good wet years, we have learned to operate our system as if we are in a DROUGHT. Why you may ask? Because a drought is inevitable in Utah - and they are usually extended and last several years at a time. If our system is not designed for such a natural swing in our weather patterns, we will not be able to serve our customers in the peak of the worst drought years.

In Summit County - water is sparse and as such expensive in this high desert environment. Because of this - resource protection and conservation plays a key role in our water planning and development strategies. The better we conserve - the more our delicate water resources will be there for us when the environment tightens the natural supply line so to speak. Also - conserving water plays a key role in the enhancement of the stream water resources in Snyderville Basin, particularly East Canyon Creek and Silver Creek. These river systems are small and very easy to pollute. By using water conserving landscaping practices, less pollutants, i.e. chemical nutrients, are carried into the surface water environment, minimizing algae blooms. These blooms can rob the river systems of oxygen and seriously jeopardize the ability of the river ecosystems to support wildlife. It is often said that lush green lawns can also mean green rivers. The DISTRICTS FULL CONSERVATION PLAN CAN BE FOUND HERE. If you would like a smaller version which does not include all of the illustrations, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Read More

Local District Conservation Resources

  • High Woodland Plant Lists

    Here you can review a High Wooded low water consuming plant list designed for Summit County, to empower you in your low impact landscaping plans. This list is for mainly high north facing wooded slopes.
    Read More

  • Mountain Desert Plant Lists

    This list also offers a water efficient plant list that is more common to most of the lower lying developments within Western Summit County. Often we forget that we are living in a an a high arid desert.
    Read More

  • District Conservation Plan

    Here is the Districts complete water conservation plan. This plan is updated every few years and is a requirement of the State of Utah for all public water suppliers. Our plan includes an energy strategy as well.
    Read More

  • District "Green" Strategy

    Did you know that most of a Water Suppliers environmental impacts are Energy related?. Learn about our Green Strategy to see how we are trying to reduce our water delivery carbon footprint.
    Read More

Other Conservation Links:

There are many State of Utah sponsored Water Conservation links and documents. Many of these are found at the State Department of Natural Resources - Division of Water Resources or the Division Water Rights. Another excellent source is offered by the Utah State University - Extension Services:

Link and Document List:

Read More

Soil Testing Information

One of the keys to understanding water conservation and proper irrigation practices in your landscape, is understanding more about your various soils. Different soils and slopes require different amounts of water and nutrients.

Understanding Soil Tests

Regular soil testing helps develop and maintain more productive soils for farming, gardening, and landscaping. The purpose of this guide is to help you understand and interpret the results from a Utah State University soil test report.

Soil Testing FAQ

Presented in this document are some of the more basic Frequently Asked Questions - along with answers, regarding the soil testing process.

Soil Testing Guide for Home Gardeners

This small guide helps understand in a simpler way the need for soil testing to optimize nutrients etc. It is recommended that tests be performed approximately every 5 years.

Water-wise Landscaping Guide

This detailed handbook is the "bible" for wise water management planning in all of our landscaping designs and management process.

Read More