Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities

This week, we checked in on the progress of our City Creek Water Treatment Plant rebuild, and it’s exciting to see the new facility taking shape. As Utah’s oldest water treatment plant, originally built in the 1950s, City Creek has a long history of serving our community.

Rebuilding the plant has come with some unique challenges. The team is working within the limited space of a narrow canyon and carefully protecting a sensitive watershed, all while maintaining safe, reliable drinking water service throughout construction. The dedication, creativity, and expertise of everyone involved are helping bring this critical infrastructure project to life.

For decades, our team has measured snowpack to understand how much water we can rely on in the spring — and how it can support our community throughout the year.

This April, several of our snow monitoring sites recorded no snow for the first time since the 1930s. In the Salt Lake area, 90% of our drinking water comes from snowpack. This is why we’re asking everyone to limit outdoor watering this summer. Small actions now can make a big difference later. By saving water today, we can help protect our water supply for this summer and the year ahead.

Find out more ways to save water at slc.gov/utilities/conservation.

Plan ahead: Weekend traffic restrictions at West Temple & 2100 South begin this Thursday and will continue for the next 3 weekends.

West Temple will be SOUTHBOUND ONLY at the intersection. Northbound traffic must turn right onto 2100 South.

🚧 May 28 from 9pm – June 1 at 5am
🚧 June 5 from 9pm – June 8 at 5am
🚧 June 12 from 9pm – June 15 at 5am

Utah Transit Authority - UTA will also close 2100 South at the TRAX line from May 27-31 for separate work. Businesses between the TRAX line and West Temple will remain accessible by traveling south on West Temple and turning right onto 2100 South.

Learn more: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/west-temple-sewer-line-project/

PSA to our morning commuters! 🚧 Beck Street southbound will be down to one lane starting Tuesday, May 26 to Wednesday, June 3 from 1600 North to Victory Road. Crews will be replacing the existing sewer main pipe as part of the Beck Street Sewer Rehabilitation project.

Please help us spread the word!

Today, Gov. Spencer J. Cox declared a statewide drought emergency, joined by Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer and other water leaders. This helps coordinate drought response efforts across the state and triggers the state’s emergency response plan.

On a local level, Salt Lake City has been in Stage 2 Drought since March 19, 2026. This means we’re calling for a reduction of 10 to 25 million gallons of water per day during this drought.

“Water has always connected our communities, our economy, and our environment. The choices we make today will shape Utah’s futures for decades to come,” said Director Briefer.”

💧We’re asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce indoor and outdoor water use.
💧City facilities and government institutions must reduce indoor water use by 10% and stay within their irrigation budgets.

We’re hopeful that we can all work together to conserve water now to protect our water supply and help support the Great Salt Lake. Visit our website at slc.gov/utilities/conservation for tips on how to save water this summer.

Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer joined Governor Cox during today’s statewide drought emergency declaration. This year’s snowpack is the lowest Utah has seen since the 1930s.

Has your girl been seeming a little blue lately? 🥲 It might be because she’s actually our low-water grass seed, which is a mix of fine tall fescue and bluegrass…

Her most desirable trait? She uses 30% less water than typical bluegrass lawns! 💦

In these drying times, you might be wondering how to keep your lawn green while saving water. One thing you can do is replace your lawn with grass that is well suited to grow along the Wasatch Front. All you have to do is let your lawn dry out, mow it low, and spread the seed and cover it with a little mulch.

Ready to get started? Visit slc.gov/utilities/conservation/slcturftrade/ to grab your grass seed today.

❓Have questions? We’re always here to help you navigate your new relationship (with your lawn 😉)!

Our water and wastewater treatment plants work around the clock every single day, quietly protecting our health and environment.

But our facilities are aging and operating beyond their expected useful lifespan. Our plants were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Most facilities built at that time are typically useful for 50-60 years.

That’s why we are planning for the future through long-term investment in the infrastructure that keeps safe drinking water flowing and wastewater properly treated before returning to Great Salt Lake.

Because reliable water service doesn’t happen by magic.

Swipe through to meet the plants behind the process.

🥾🚧 Please be advised the Meadows Trail will be undergoing grading and surfacing improvements due to the public utilities restoration project. We ask you please keep dogs on leash and follow detours as heavy machinery will be in use.

Improvements are set to last three days, and updates will be provided. We thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve these spaces.