Environmental Impacts of Utah's Drought & What We Can Do

The Dire Consequences of our Thirsty Lawns

As homeowners, we all want to maintain lush, green lawns. But have you ever stopped to consider the impact that watering your lawn has on the environment? In Utah, the consequences of excessive lawn watering are dire, and the future of our drinking water supply is at risk. The Great Salt Lake is drying up at an alarming rate, and one of the biggest contributors to this problem is our obsession with watering our lawns.

The Dwindling Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is a vital resource for Utah's drinking water supply. It's also an important ecosystem that provides habitat for millions of birds, fish, and other wildlife. However, in recent years, the lake has been drying up at an unprecedented rate. According to a report by the Utah Division of Water Resources, the lake has lost nearly 50% of its volume since 1847. This is due in large part to excessive water usage, including watering lawns.

satellite images shows the receding Great Salt Lake. On the left is the lake at full capacity in December 1988, while on the right is the lake in September 2021 with 800 square miles of lakebed exposed.

Every Drop Counts in Utah's Drought

As homeowners, we may not think that our individual lawn watering habits have a significant impact on the environment. However, when you consider that Utah is one of the driest states in the country and that the demand for water is increasing every year, it's clear that every drop of water counts. In fact, according to the Utah Foundation, up to 60% of Utah's culinary water supply is used for outdoor watering, including lawn irrigation.

A Growing Thirst

The consequences of excessive lawn watering go beyond the Great Salt Lake. In many parts of Utah, the demand for water is already exceeding the available supply, and this problem is only expected to worsen in the coming years. According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, Utah's population is expected to double by 2065, which means that the demand for water will only continue to increase.

In Utah, if you want a green lawn, choose artificial grass.

Want Green Grass? Go Artificial

So what can we do to help alleviate this problem with Utah's drought? The first step is to be mindful of our water usage, especially when it comes to outdoor watering. This means only watering your lawn when necessary and avoiding overwatering. You can also consider replacing your natural grass with artificial turf, which requires much less water and maintenance. Installing artificial grass not only helps conserve water, but it also allows homeowners to have a beautiful, green lawn without the need for excessive watering.