Chapter 1

The greatest increase in future water demands will be the result of population growth in Utah's urban centers. (Photo of Salt Lake City courtesy of Utah Travel Council and Frank Jensen)

The greatest increase in future water demands will be the result of population growth. These water needs will occur primarily in the municipal and industrial sector, of which residential use is a significant component. Although these urban water demands will drive many future water decisions, Utah need not forsake its rural heritage to satisfy these needs. The conversion of agricultural water supplies to municipal and industrial uses as farm land is urbanized will occur to satisfy some future water needs, particularly along the Wasatch Front. However, because these conversions will not always be sufficient to satisfy future demands, other means of securing adequate water supplies are necessary.

		n order to meet future needs, Utah must promote water conservation and water management technologies. This, along with carefully planned water developments, will secure sufficient water for the future.

In order to meet all demands on Utah's water resources, a cooperative effort is needed to better use existing water supplies. Utah must promote water conservation measures and innovative water management technologies. Although this effort will forestall the need for costly new water developments, these measures alone will not satisfy all of Utah's future needs. Therefore, new water development will be needed. The timing and size of this development will depend on the ability of water conservation and other water-saving strategies to reduce water demand.