Report on Water Conservation Imperatives in Utah in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Amidst a severe drought prompting a state of emergency, Utah faces a critical challenge in managing its water resources. This situation underscores the urgent need for conscientious water use, directly aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water for all. Despite being the third driest state in the nation, Utah’s per capita water consumption ranks among the highest, highlighting a significant gap between resource availability and consumption patterns that must be addressed to achieve water security and sustainability.

Analysis of Urban Water Consumption and Sustainability Challenges

Urban Landscape Irrigation: A Challenge to SDG 11 and SDG 12

A primary area of concern is urban landscape irrigation, which accounts for up to 65% of the annual municipal water use. A substantial portion of this water is applied in excess of plant requirements, representing a significant waste of a finite resource. This practice runs counter to the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and challenges the objective of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by placing undue strain on municipal water systems and threatening the long-term resilience of urban environments.

Furthermore, inefficient water application not only constitutes a resource waste but also leads to tangible damage to urban infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and private property. Mitigating this damage is essential for building the resilient infrastructure targeted by SDG 11. Adopting irrigation schedules based on precise plant water needs is a critical step toward reducing waste, conserving water, and fostering healthier, more drought-tolerant landscapes that contribute to sustainable urban ecosystems.

Strategic Water Management Recommendations for SDG Attainment

Implementing Reduced Irrigation Schedules

In response to the drought, current recommendations advise limiting landscape irrigation to twice per week. This strategy, which equates to approximately one inch of water weekly, is sufficient to maintain turfgrass viability. While grass may enter a period of natural dormancy during peak heat, this is a normal biological process that supports ecosystem resilience, a key aspect of SDG 15 (Life on Land). Adhering to this reduced schedule is a direct contribution to SDG 6 by conserving vast quantities of municipal water.

Technical Guidelines for Efficient Water Application

The efficiency of irrigation is heavily dependent on the type of sprinkler head used. To apply the recommended 0.5 inches of water per session without causing runoff, different systems require specific run times and cycling. Proper management ensures water penetrates the soil effectively, supporting deep root growth and contributing to the efficient use targets of SDG 6.

• Spray Heads: Require a total run time of 15-23 minutes, best applied in 3 shorter cycles of 5-8 minutes each.
• Rotor Heads: Require a total run time of 30-75 minutes, best applied in 3 cycles of 10-25 minutes each.
• MSMT Heads (Multi-Stream Multi-Trajectory): Require a total run time of 50-75 minutes, best applied in 3 cycles of 17-25 minutes each.

Sustainable Landscaping and Planting Practices

While establishing water-wise landscapes is a recommended long-term strategy for achieving SDG 11 and SDG 15, current drought conditions make it inadvisable to establish new plantings. The water required for new landscape establishment is not available. Citizens are advised to postpone new planting projects until the fall, when cooler temperatures reduce water demand, thereby aligning landscaping activities with principles of responsible resource management.

Actionable Best Practices for Water Conservation

To advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6, SDG 11, and SDG 12, the following best practices for landscape water conservation are recommended:

1. Install Smart Irrigation Controllers: Utilize modern technology that employs local weather data to automate and optimize irrigation schedules. State-sponsored rebate programs support the adoption of these efficient systems, advancing the goals of SDG 11.
2. Practice Targeted Watering: Instead of increasing water across an entire lawn to address small dry spots, supplement these specific areas by hand-watering or using a hose-end sprinkler. This targeted approach embodies the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
3. Maintain Higher Lawn Height: Keep turfgrass at a height of at least two inches. Taller grass promotes deeper root systems, enhancing the landscape’s natural drought hardiness and resilience, which supports the ecosystem health goals of SDG 15.
4. Implement Zoned Irrigation: Water shady and sunny areas according to their distinct needs, as shady zones require significantly less water. This precision approach prevents waste and aligns with the efficient water-use targets of SDG 6.
5. Use Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch over bare soil in gardens and flowerbeds. Mulching conserves soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds, contributing to both water conservation (SDG 6) and soil health (SDG 15).
6. Employ Drip Irrigation: For flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and shrubs, use hand-watering or drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the plant root zones. This method is highly efficient and ensures water is used effectively, directly supporting SDG 6.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The core theme of the article is water scarcity, drought, and the need for water conservation in Utah. It directly discusses the challenges of managing freshwater resources in a dry state, which is central to SDG 6. The article’s focus on reducing water waste in urban landscape irrigation and promoting efficient water use aligns with the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water for all.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the article’s emphasis on changing consumption patterns related to a key natural resource: water. The text advocates for the “efficient use of natural resources” by providing citizens with specific methods to reduce their water consumption. The recommendations for proper irrigation, using smart technology, and adopting water-wise landscaping practices are all calls for more responsible consumption to ensure resource sustainability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

  The article directly supports this target by highlighting Utah’s status as the “third driest state in the nation” and its high per capita water use, indicating significant water stress. The entire article is a guide to increasing water-use efficiency, particularly in the urban sector, where “landscape irrigation accounts for as much as 65% of the annual municipal water use.” The advice on scheduling irrigation, using specific sprinkler heads, and adopting smart controllers aims to reduce excess water use and ensure that withdrawals are sustainable, especially during a “drought year.”

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

  This target is relevant as the article provides a clear framework for the sustainable management and efficient use of water. It describes the current use as inefficient (“much of it is applied in excess of plant needs”) and offers practical solutions to correct this. The best practices listed, such as using mulch, watering by hand, and adjusting irrigation for shady areas, are all methods to achieve more efficient use of this finite natural resource, directly contributing to the goal of sustainable management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for Target 6.4

  Progress towards increasing water-use efficiency and addressing water scarcity can be measured by the following indicators implied in the text:

  1. Per capita water use: The article states Utah is “among the top in per capita users of water.” A reduction in this metric would indicate progress.
  2. Percentage of municipal water used for landscape irrigation: The article cites this figure as “as much as 65%.” A decrease in this percentage would show improved efficiency in the urban sector.
  3. Weekly irrigation volume: The recommendation to “irrigate twice per week equates to 1 inch of irrigation per week” provides a specific, measurable target for water application that can be tracked.
  4. Adoption of water-saving technologies: The article recommends installing a “‘smart’ irrigation controller.” The uptake rate of such technologies among households and businesses serves as a direct indicator of improved water management practices.

• Indicators for Target 12.2

  Progress towards the sustainable management and efficient use of water can be measured by:

  1. Reduction in resource waste: The article notes that current irrigation is a “tremendous resource waste.” Measuring the reduction in water lost through overspray and excess application would be a key indicator of more efficient use. This can be tracked through municipal water audits or household water bills in areas that adopt the recommended practices.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: usu.edu