At Salt Lake County, we are doing our part to conserve water. From monitoring our snowpack to implementing water-wise initiatives, we are committed to long-term water conservation amid frequent emergency droughts and changing environmental landscapes.
"Water conservation is a critical issue to the well-being of our community as we grow and adapt to the changes our landscape faces." — Mayor Jenny Wilson
Salt Lake County is not a utility or water provider and does not impose restrictions on residential or commercial watering. The map below is a resource for residents and businesses to find information about current watering restrictions across the County. Links or resources from the utility will be provided if restrictions are in place.
Salt Lake County led by example by allocating $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support efforts to retrofit park strips with waterwise landscaping across County operations. This initiative, also known as "flipping your strip," aimed to reduce water use and promote drought‑tolerant localscapes. The pilot program was implemented at the following Salt Lake County-owned facilities:
Combined, these five facilities removed 160,930 square feet of turf that had low functionality for the surrounding facilities. By removing this turf, the County will save approximately four million gallons of water annually. While this was a pilot project, With the learnings from this pilot project the County is now better informed to remove turf in future flip the projects.
Join us in creating a more sustainable and resilient future for Salt Lake County by adopting waterwise landscaping practices!
Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Salt Lake County Animal Shelter
Salt Lake County Meadowbrook Golf Course
Mountain America Expo Center
Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Salt Lake County Central City Recreation Center
As an output from Salt Lake County's experience with flip the strip there were two resources produced to help residents, businesses, and other government entities in their flip the strip programs.
These resources support best practices across Utah's landscape!
Salt Lake County deploys water audits when needed across operations. Both indoor and outdoor audits are done through local partners at USU, Salt Lake City Public Utilities and other organizations that partner with Salt Lake County.
Our Watershed Planning and Restoration team works to protect over 900 miles of streams that run through Salt Lake County! Programs include monitoring water quality, restoring damaged stream corridors, and helping residents adopt stream‑friendly practices that reduce pollution and protect native ecosystems.
They also provide real‑time streamflow data, snowpack updates, and community events like the annual Watershed Symposium to support a healthier watershed for the entire region.
Find information about snowpack updates, water quality data, flood plains and more!
In 2026, the Salt Lake County Council approved an amendment to the West General Plan that aligns with the State of Utah’s directive to better integrate water management with land‑use decision‑making. This update reflects a growing recognition that long‑term planning must account for both growth and resource limitations.
The overarching goal of the amendment is to ensure that water stewardship remains central to how the County grows, invests, and sustains its natural systems for future generations. It reinforces the County’s commitment to responsible development, improved water efficiency, and the protection of critical watershed resources as the region continues to expand.
Figuring out the best way to conserve water can feel overwhelming and time consuming. We centralized water providers for residents in one, easy map.
What does a 10% reduction in sprinkling look like?
It's as simple as cutting one day out of your watering each week.
Did you know watering your lawn is more effective at night? You lose a lot of water due to evaporation during the hot sun of the day - as much as 20%-30%.
Do something that saves you money + water.
Your neighbors don't want to see it, and neither do we. Don't clean your driveway with a garden hose; use a broom to sweep it instead.
Sweeping will first loosen dirt and grime, which will decrease your water use and save you time.
"Waterever" you do, don't water your sidewalks or driveway. Your grass and plants get no benefit and the water gets wasted. Adjust your sprinklers to maximize the important areas they water!
An easy way to conserve water at your home is to have a drought-resistant landscape.
There are so many flowers and plants native to Utah and the desert that will keep your yard looking lively, beautiful and save water! Visit a local nursery to find the best ones to fit your landscaping or the Conservation Garden Park website for ideas.
Laundry and dishes should be run in full loads. Make sure that water can reach all dishes or clothing that is being cleaned. Also clean your filters as it can help the appliance provide the cleaning needed.
Try reducing your shower by a few minutes. The average 10 minute shower uses about 25 gallons. Try taking five minutes off and you cut that usage in half!
Drips from a leaky faucet or pipe may not seem like a lot but over a week, month or year all that water adds up to hundreds if not thousands of gallons!
Switch that gasket or get that pipe replaced!
Is your dishwasher or washer leaking, not cleaning very well, or broken?
Well once its time to replace that old appliance look for high efficiency and low water use models.
New models have advanced cleaning, while lowering water use!
If a fixture needs to be replaced try looking for fixtures that use aerators! Aerators mix air and water to keep pressure high while reducing water usage. Just adding an aerator can save between 20-60% of total water coming from one tap!
Find incentives to help upgrade your home or business to save money and water!
Explore expert resources on watering times, plant guides, landscape conversion support, and more.
Getting down and into the details is tough, but these guides and tools make it a bit easier to wrap your head around the complexity of watering, landscaping, and more!
Find more information on status of the Great Salt Lake or news stories featuring the Great Salt Lake!
