Water Rights and Water Conservation

An “Us” Issue, Not a Partisan One: Water is one of the most urgent challenges facing Utah. Continued drought, rapid population growth, aging infrastructure, and the dangerously low condition of the Great Salt Lake demand more than concern. They demand sustained action. Water isn’t partisan - it is an “Us” issue. We all live here, we all rely on it, and we all share the responsibility to protect it. Working together, demanding transparency, and pursuing practical solutions can safeguard Utah’s water supply, and the Great Salt Lake, for generations to come. 

Real Progress, Real Investment: The Utah Legislature has invested nearly a billion dollars in water conservation, infrastructure, agricultural optimization, and long-term planning. I am proud to support this work, which includes: 

• Secondary water metering and conservation incentives that help Utahns measure and reduce their water use

• Agricultural optimization technology that helps farmers use water more efficiently while keeping their land productive

• Major infrastructure funding to modernize how we store and deliver water across the state

Protecting the Great Salt Lake: The Great Salt Lake is vital to Utah’s economy, environment, and public health. Its decline is a challenge we cannot ignore. I have supporting meaningful steps to reverse course, including the creation of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, and the development of a basin-wide plan to better understand where our water comes from, how it is used, and what actions will produce measurable results. The State has also expanded voluntary water banking and leasing, which is a market based tool that lets water-right holders temporarily lease water while keeping local ownership to those rights. Approaches like this add flexibility and can help move more water downstream, including towards the Great Salt Lake. 

Respecting Water Rights and Local Control: As we pursue these solutions, I remain firmly committed to protecting private property rights and empowering local communities. Utah’s farmers depend on a secure, reliable access to water, and I believe clear water rights are a fundamental aspect of individual liberties. Local communities are best equipped to understand and manage their own water needs. I’ll continue to favor voluntary, market-based, and community-driven solutions that respect the people who depend on this resource every day. 

My Record: Water has been one of my highest priorities in the Legislature. Across the past two sessions, I've supported a wide range of measures to conserve water, modernize infrastructure, protect the Great Salt Lake, and safeguard the rights of Utah's farmers and communities.