According to the National Weather Service, as of mid-September last month, 100% of Utah is considered in some form of drought, with 59.1% of the state in severe drought, 32.8% in extreme drought, and 7.8% in moderate drought.  And drought.gov reports that this year we had the 30^th driest January in the state but the 33^rd wettest August on record.  Basically, we are getting rain and snow, just now what we’re used to, and predictions vary what El Nino will bring us-a dumper of a Winter or nada?

We are trying to do our parts to cut down water use by reducing lawn watering and planting waterwise landscaping. Drive by the Gov’s mansion on South Temple and you’ll see they’ve torn up the grass and are planting less water hungry plants. Some have the funds to change out old appliances and install smart sprinkler controllers while others simply take shorter showers, less baths and turn off taps while brushing teeth.

There’s one program though you might want to jump on before the deadline expires: the “Utah Water Savers Toilet Replacement Program” which ends October 31^st, 2026.  To qualify, you must live in a home built before 1994 with an older, high-water-use toilet. Take a photo of the old toilet and photos of the new toilet, as well as a copy of the proof of purchase of that new potty and send in the application for the $150 rebate within 60 days of the new toilet purchase. You will also agree to properly dispose of the old toilet and not reinstall it or resell it.  Applications are on utahwatersavers.com. The website is great as it has a link to the EPA site of qualified toilet brands.  Rebates are limited to two toilets per home.

Once this program expires there will be new rebates coming forward, like more rebates for landscaping replacements. There are currently incentives of many cities in the state for pulling up your grass and the website has all the cities and counties within our borders that offer such programs, including unincorporated towns in the state.