Water conservation isn’t new to Utah, and it’s not new to you. For decades, businesses across the state have been finding smart ways to reduce waste, upgrade landscaping and do their part to protect one of Utah’s most limited resources. But with our state once again facing drought conditions, this is your reminder and invitation to keep pushing forward, together.
The reality is simple: Utah is a desert. And with shrinking snowpack, low streamflows and growing demand, we all have a stake in preserving our water future. Thankfully many Utah businesses are not only participating, they’re leading. And now, there are even more tools to conserve water in ways that are smarter, faster and at lower cost.
One of the newest valuable resources is the Utah Plant Selector, a free digital tool launched by Utah Water Ways in partnership with Simplyscapes. It allows businesses and homeowners to design sustainable landscapes with low-water plants tailored to Utah’s unique climate zones — and actually visualize how those plants will look in a real-world setting. Whether you’re updating your own landscaping, designing a new commercial space or advising clients, it’s a powerful way to plan and act with confidence. Even better, the tool is connected to Utah’s garden centers helping more customers choose waterwise plants on the spot. This resource is made possible thanks to donations from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Zions Bancorporation and Utah Kennecott Copper.
If you’re looking to build on what you may already be doing, here are a few steps that make a real difference:
- Audit and optimize your irrigation systems. Many commercial properties overwater by 30-50%. Smart controllers and drip irrigation can quickly reduce usage and qualify for rebates.
- Convert turf to climate-appropriate landscaping. Use the Utah Plant Selector or Slow the Flow’s curated templates to create attractive, waterwise designs that save money and boost curb appeal.
- Engage your team. Conservation scales best when your whole company is on board. Use this moment to recommit, retrain and empower staff and vendors to act.
Water conservation is both a responsibility and a business advantage. It reduces costs, builds resilience, and enhances your brand in a way customers and communities respect. Your leadership sets the tone, and your efforts today will shape the future of our state. So let’s keep leading, together.
Explore tools, rebates and inspiration at slowtheflow.org and utahwaterways.org. And share your water wise efforts with us — we would love to hear how you are making a difference.
