Utah's water situation is bleak this year. These barrels can help conservation efforts

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Rivers Council officials have seen all sorts of interest since launching its RainHarvest Utah program a little more than a decade ago, but the nonprofit expects this year might be the busiest one yet.

Utah's snowpack may have peaked on March 8 at approximately half of the state's median peak average. The snow collection season is technically still ongoing, but the current statewide average is rewriting the record books in the worst possible way. The current snowpack is about 60% of the previous all-time low for the final week of March.

"This is going to be a very historic drought. It's going to challenge us," said Zach Frankel, director of the Utah Rivers Council.

That's why he and various municipal leaders say the program that offers discounted 50-gallon rain-collection barrels matters more this year.

The RainHarvest program returned Wednesday larger than ever, too, with 18 government entities across Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Wasatch and Weber counties participating this spring. They'll offer $88 barrels — a discount from the $150 retail price through government subsidies, which can be purchased online.

Approximately 2,000 rain barrels will be made available this year.

The program has been a hit since it launched 12 years ago, a few years after the Utah Legislature passed a law that allows residents to capture up to 2,500 gallons of water for personal use at their home every year. Many of the regularly participating cities say they often struggle to meet the demand during dry years, like this is shaping up to be.

"I'm assuming they're going to be going very quickly. They usually do," said Todd Munger, environmental sustainability and recovery director for Lehi, which helped subsidize 200 barrels for its residents this year. "They offer such a simple and effective way for a household to recognize the need for water conservation."

Munger attended a virtual press conference about the program's return after he said he had just left a meeting where possible water restrictions were discussed amid this year's low water outlook.

Salt Lake City has already jumped back into its water shortage contingency plan, while Pineview Water Systems said it will issue fines and even shut off secondary water access early for people who consume more than their water allotments this year. Gov. Spencer Cox said he expected other local water entities to enact restrictions to combat the state's water woes.

Over 98% of Utah is also listed in at least moderate drought, including nearly half in severe drought or worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. That could worsen if and when the remaining snowpack dries up early.

Thus, this will likely be an "important year" for conservation, said Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel. Installing rain barrels is a good starting point to launch into something that can be so overwhelming, said Allie Howard, public works administrator for Murray.

Eligible residents who purchase their barrels will be able to collect them in May, just in time for the peak water consumption season.

Once in hand, all a homeowner needs to do is modify their home's gutter downspout so that rain pours into an inlet at the top of the barrel. There's a port at the bottom of the barrel that allows people to attach their garden hose to the barrel, so they can do outdoor watering without pulling from their typical water system.

That, advocates say, can help reduce watering costs, while also freeing up more water that's either stored in reservoirs or isn't diverted from the Great Salt Lake.

"If you're looking at conservation, it's so easy to shoot big and just solve the world and fix everything ... and it's just such a big task. When, really, the only thing that really matters is starting small and starting somewhere," Howard said. "(This) gives residents an opportunity to do something in their wheelhouse that's cost-affordable."

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