Water, Growth and Drought: How Washington County Is Preparing for the Future

WATCH: Washington County Water Future

Renstrom has his work cut out for him in managing how the county fulfills the rising drinking water demand in an area plagued by drought and a shrinking water supply. 

The area’s reservoirs rely on the Virgin River Watershed.  

“The Virgin River has less water than it did 100 years ago. It's hotter today than it was 100 years ago,” Renstrom said. “We have to adapt for that.” 

The water conservancy district is tackling a few projects to ensure the supply doesn’t run dry, including the approach of turning wastewater into drinking water. 

“It's technology that's proven, used all over the world,” Renstrom explained. 

Think kitchen sink and shower water coming back around to faucets or yard sprinklers—after completing a comprehensive treatment process. 

“One thing about reuse that's really good is it helps us be drought resistant,” Renstrom said. “We're able to capture that water, send it through a very, very sophisticated purification system to treat it to a very high standard, and then literally just put it right back into the county and reuse that water.” 

The complex, multi-phase project will take years to complete, but they’ve already broken ground on part of the water reuse system in La Verkin. 

Another project aimed at keeping the water supply afloat is expanding the reservoir system with the Chief Toquer Reservoir. 

The new reservoir is currently under construction and is expected to be complete this year. 

“Next spring, hopefully if we have a good season, we’ll actually be able to fill that reservoir, and have another source of water here in Washington County for our citizens,” Renstrom said. 

Lastly, the project to overhaul the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant should allow them to accommodate the area’s needs for decades to come. 

Renstrom explained the project calls for demolishing 40-year-old infrastructure and replacing it with a larger, two-story facility that features newer technology focused on enhancing water quality and taste. 

The plant will increase treatment capacity from 60 million gallons a day to 90 million gallons a day.  

“When we have those peak days, those really hot summer days, we can make sure that we're meeting those requirements to make sure that all our citizens have that water when they need it.” Renstrom explained. 

As the water conservancy district continues to plan for growth, it will also stay focused on innovating against drought. 

“Our infrastructure has to be built to accommodate [drought],” Renstrom said. “Running out of water is not an option.” 

 

About This Series

Utah Insight is PBS Utah’s public affairs program, with in-depth, timely explorations of the most pressing issues facing the state. Host Lauren Steinbrecher discusses hot topics with leading experts, local leaders, and everyday Utahns to foster meaningful conversations and diverse perspectives. Whether reporting from the steps of the Capitol, attending rallies, or engaging with citizens on the street, Utah Insight empowers viewers to stay informed and engaged.