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Southwest Energy Efficiency Project Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

Public Education Campaign

Slow the Flow

Utah is the second driest state in the nation, but its residents consume large amounts of water. As water managers began looking at growth projections and how to meet future demands, the state mandated that regional or local water agencies create and implement water conservation plans. As part of their local water conservation plan, the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) created a public outreach campaign entitled "Slow the Flow: Save H2O."

In 2001, Governor Leavitt created the Governor's Water Conservation Team, which includes a representative from each of the state's five major water conservancy districts, Utah Division of Water Resources, and Rural Water Association of Utah. Slow the Flow was incorporated as the main component of the Team's statewide conservation efforts. Since the state program's inception, dozens of press events, editorial board tours, media interviews, have been held.

The scope of the statewide Slow the Flow campaign has been primarily promotional. The funds contributed to date from participants in the Water Conservation Team, about $1.5 million, have been used towards television and radio spots, print advertising, community outreach, and promotional items.

Awareness of the Slow the Flow campaign is very high, and the program is judged to be effective, with estimated water savings of 2 percent in 2001, 8 percent in 2002, and 4 percent in 2003.

Quick Facts

  • Total Project Cost: $1.5 million during 2001-2006
  • Total Cost Savings: Not available
  • Total Water Savings to Date: Approximately 13 billion gallons
  • Highlights:
    • Water conservation is now one of the top issues recognized statewide.
    • The vast majority of Utahns have heard of the Slow the Flow campaign, and most of the population report acting on its message.

Source: Jordan Valley Water Conservation District, and State Division of Water Resources, 2007