PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 2008

Contacts:
Laura Summers, Research Analyst, Utah Foundation
(801) 355-1400, ext. 6

Stephen Kroes, President, Utah Foundation
(801) 355-1400, ext. 5
(801) 573-8824 (mobile)

A LOOK AT WATER CONDITIONS IN THE SECOND-DRIEST STATE

Today, Utah Foundation released a research brief entitled, "A Look at Water Conditions in the Second-Driest State." The brief is available at www.utahfoundation.org.

This brief is part of the ongoing Utah Priorities Project, which began with a statewide survey asking voters to rate the most important issues facing our state in this election year. Reports and briefs published for the Utah Priorities Project are designed to inform voters and candidates with facts and analysis on the most important issues facing Utah this election year.

Utah is the second-driest state in the nation and home to over 2.6 million people. When Utah experiences drought conditions, water becomes a high-priority issue for Utah voters. Utah’s water supply and quality ranked as the seventh most important concern in the 2008 Utah Priorities Survey. To help voters and candidates understand the issue better, this brief provides information on drought conditions, precipitation, water storage, water usage, and water quality in Utah. This brief contains the following information:

• A historical and current look at drought conditions in Utah.
• Utah’s average annual precipitation and how Utah’s precipitation compares to other western states.
• Utah’s current water supply and reservoir storage capacity.
• How Utah’s current water supply compares to other western states.
• Municipal water usage and water quality in Utah.

The report is freely available to the public on the web at www.utahfoundation.org.

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The mission of Utah Foundation is to promote a thriving economy, a well-prepared workforce, and a high quality of life for Utahns by performing thorough, well-supported research that helps policymakers, business and community leaders, and citizens better understand complex issues and providing practical, well-reasoned recommendations for policy change.