Watershed Symposium 2022

Groundwater levels in Utah and throughout the west continue to decline. Groundwater is an important resource providing water not only for human consumption but also for agricultural and industry needs. In order to preserve this valuable resource we need to increase our efforts to put water back into the ground.

In 2005, Utah declared Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) as a critical element in most conjunctive management practices as part of their “Utah State Water Plan”. In 2017, Governor Herbert commissioned a Recommended State Water Strategy where public comments included ““Vigorously pursue … aquifer storage and recovery projects.” yet few ASR programs have been implemented since. Recently, in the 2021 Water Resource Plan ASR and other managed aquifer programs received little attention. This presentation will cover the increasing water challenges and drought situation in Utah and surrounding western states due to in large part climate change. The presentation will also discuss the successes and challenges of existing and potential ASR programs in Utah. Attendees will understand how climate change is affecting our groundwater resources and what solutions should be considered in the long term to protect this valuable resource