The Salt Lake Chamber’s Water Champion H2Oath, Utah’s water-wise pledge for businesses, is founded on the precept that water is our most precious natural resource. As Utah is facing an unprecedented drought, protecting and efficiently using the water supply is critical to ensuring clean, safe and long-term drinking water. Businesses that sign the pledge are leaders in changing behavior patterns to conserve water. The Salt Lake Chamber is asking these businesses to share their stories to encourage other businesses to be water-wise.

“When we approached H2Oath, it was looking at it through two different ways,” said Brian Epperson, Target River CEO and co-founder. “First, how we could make a difference within our staff. Second, what impact we could provide to our dozens and dozens of clients, as well as their employees and clients.”

At Target River, the front line of water conservation efforts starts in the home. The marketing agency was created on the foundation of a virtual, flexible model to hire the best talent, regardless of location.

“We’ve been suggesting a lot of recommendations to our staff on ways they can reduce water usage at home,” said Epperson. “This includes adjusting the washing machine dial for small loads versus the normal cycle and replacing faucets, showerheads and toilets with water-efficient devices.”

Target River employees are also encouraged to implement water-wise habits in their yards, such as synthetic turf, mulch, decorative rock, pavement, or flagstone. “These alternatives can be equally attractive to traditional sod,” said Epperson. “A little bit of extra initial investment up-front can result in tremendous long-term savings.”

These messages to transition towards a more xeriscape or hardscape approach have also been shared with Target River clients, especially those in the landscaping industry. Clients who work in an office setting are encouraged to consider if their commercial facilities and properties have many plants, bushes, trees, shrubs and sod that are water-thirsty.

“We have been encouraging our staff and clients as they look at their properties to reevaluate what they’re installing, what they’re planting and what they’re utilizing,” said Epperson. “We’ve probably collectively touched over 100,000 employees between all the clients we have. A little change can make a huge impact.”

To extend Target River’s message on water conservation, employees have been utilizing digital platforms, social media and advertising techniques. “As a business community, we all reach so many people who look to us,” said Epperson. “Water conservation is something we all need to be mindful of, and there’s a lot we can do.”

As the business community and economy in Utah continue to grow, water accessibility could be an impediment. Now is the time to come together and make long-term changes to extend our water supply, ensuring safe and sufficient drinking water.

“With regulations and water we’re pulling from other resources, the problems are only going to get worse quickly,” said Epperson. “So, 2021 is definitely a great time for people to get on board and start making these changes now so we can see the positive impacts in 2022, as we grow as a population in the state.”

“We all can make a difference. One person’s one effort, a small business’s small effort–it all adds up,” said Epperson. “I think the key thing we need to understand is that we all have an opportunity, both at our residential and commercial properties, to make an impact. Collectively, if we each do a little bit, it will be a massive transformation.”

To take the Water Champion H2Oath, click here. 

If your business has taken the Water Champion H2Oath and would like to be featured, contact Jessika Clark at jclark@slchamber.com.