Waters of the West

Water Conservation

By
Learn more about Alexis Yelvington.
Alexis Yelvington
Associate, Education
George W. Bush Institute

 Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah as seen in September 2024. In forty years, the Great Salt Lake has lost two-thirds of its surface area due to the agricultural sector, mining industry, and global warming. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)


Population growth and climate change are pressuring cities and states across the Western United States to maintain a sustainable water supply. Conservation is the first solution that comes to mind, and with good reason: It can be highly effective and cost-saving. And it’s not new. Every Western state has some level of conservation in place, though initiatives’ breadth and effectiveness vary widely.

State authorities and local water utilities largely shape water conservation policies and incentives with distinct yet interconnected roles. States set the policy framework as well as efficiency standards, fund conservation programs, and mandate rate structures. Water utilities take the lead for urban water use, and they craft regulations, design community-specific initiatives, and directly manage water service. Utilities are embedded in the community and engage directly with the public through education, incentives, and enforcement.

The most successful conservation efforts coordinate state and local goals and use a multistrategy approach incorporating education and accountability mechanisms. While there is room for improvement, there are also many bright spots. Six key recommendations emerge from the stand-out examples:

  • States should implement policies that support water conservation efforts.
  • Water utilities should use a diverse combination of incentives and policies.
  • Water utilities should target their efforts to each consumer group.
  • Water conservation plans should include a public education element.
  • States and water utilities should invest in accountability and utilize up-to-date data.
  • Conservation should be one part of a larger coordinated effort to diversify water supply.