For three decades, FRIENDS has been a staunch advocate for Great Salt Lake's protection, tirelessly working to address emerging threats. We are currently working to protect more than 150,000 acre-feet of inflows by protesting wastewater reuse applications and challenging groundwater appropriations, in line with our commitment to achieve comprehensive watershed-based restoration and protection for the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
Wastewater Reuse Permits
As wastewater treatment standards become more stringent and wastewater discharges become cleaner, some municipalities in the Great Salt Lake Basin are applying to reuse their wastewater discharge as a source of secondary water, primarily for irrigation. Because wastewater discharges represent a significant portion of Great Salt Lake's inflows, the 2023 amendments to Utah's Wastewater Reuse Act require municipalities in the Basin to file a water replacement plan along with their reuse application.
Some of these municipalities have taken the position that they have a right to reuse their wastewater discharge without replacing those inflows. This stance directly conflicts with recent legislative efforts to preserve and restore Great Salt Lake.
In response, we are challenging applications that lack a sufficient replacement plan. To date, we have filed protests on reuse applications totaling more than 150,000 acre-feet of water. Click here to read our protest.
These protests demonstrate our alignment with the Utah State Engineer's interpretation of the statute as requiring a water replacement plan for all applications. This interpretation is consistent with ongoing legislative efforts to protect Great Salt Lake and the substantial investments made by the state to address declining water levels.
By insisting on comprehensive water replacement plans, we aim to ensure that wastewater reuse projects do not undermine ongoing conservation efforts and the long-term health of Great Salt Lake. This approach recognizes the delicate balance between meeting municipal water needs and preserving the unique and vital ecosystem of the Lake for future generations. We will continue to advocate for responsible water management practices that safeguard the future of Great Salt Lake and the countless species and industries that depend on its health.
Challenging Groundwater Rights Applications
In November 2022, Utah Governor Spencer Cox issued a proclamation "Suspending New Appropriations of Surplus and Unappropriated Waters in the Great Salt Lake Basin." This proclamation, aimed at protecting the declining water levels of Great Salt Lake, covers both surface and groundwater sources feeding the Lake. However, the interpretation and implementation of this proclamation have become a point of contention, leading us to take action.
The State Engineer has interpreted the proclamation as excluding groundwater inflows to the North Arm (Gunnison Bay), which has resulted in a steady stream of water right applications for new groundwater appropriations pumped from aquifers that feed into the North Arm. We argue that this interpretation is inconsistent with the proclamation's intent and harmful to the Lake's ecosystem.
The importance of groundwater to Great Salt Lake has been underscored by recent scientific findings. While in the past, the State considered the groundwater contribution to Great Salt Lake to be relatively insignificant – estimated at around 75,000 acre-feet per year – recent studies by the Utah Geological Survey have increased this estimate to 560,000 acre-feet, a staggering 750% increase. This revelation highlights the vital role that groundwater plays in maintaining the Lake's water levels and overall health.
In an effort to protect this essential water source for the Lake and to encourage the State Engineer to interpret the proclamation correctly, we are challenging applications for new groundwater appropriations that we believe violate the provisions of the proclamation. Click here to read one of our Water Right Application protests.
Our protests meticulously detail why these applications should be rejected, addressing issues such as the lack of unappropriated water in the Great Salt Lake Basin, potential impairment of existing rights, and detriment to public welfare. By challenging these water right applications, we aim to ensure that the intent of the Governor's proclamation is upheld, and that the critical groundwater sources feeding Great Salt Lake are protected for the benefit of the Lake's unique ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
Ongoing Work
By challenging groundwater appropriations and insisting on responsible wastewater reuse practices, we are working to ensure that the intent of protective legislation is upheld and that the long-term health of Great Salt Lake remains a priority. These ongoing efforts highlight the critical importance of informed management balancing ecological preservation with human needs.