Attending the AWRA – Utah Section Conference today. Plenty of talks and more information than one could possibly digest in one day, as usual. Notable talks so far include water quality of the GSL and Jordan River, updates on water infrastructure funding and an overview of recently adopted water legislation (water banking, aquifer storage and recovery, etc.). Hilarious vignettes from a surprisingly frank Representative Patrick Painter. My faves so far: Jay Franson and Representative Painter. This year the venue is the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium tower overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. Quite a view of the ongoing rainstorm… hey, at least it’s not snowing.
Later: Oooo! I got to meet Michael the Aquadoc Campana from Waterwired! (As a noob water nerd, I must geek out about this.) He provides a great summary of the talks on his blog. I’m glad that he was able to speak and that he enjoyed the rest of the presentations.
“Some of you are no doubt thinking, “Oh, no! WaterWired got stuck at Delta’s SLC hub waiting for a connection!” That has happened to me more than once, but not this time. My 28 hours in SLC were a WaterWonk’s delight…”
Ogden Standard Examiner: Farmington water rates could go up 40% – Water rates will rise by at least 40 percent in the coming year as part of a new rate structure being finalized by city officials in conjunction with Lagoon. In a recent council work session, Mayor Scott Harbertson set 40 percent as the baseline for an anticipated water rate hike for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Salt Lake Tribune – Editorial: Catastrophic Plan – The Salt Lake City Council will soon vote to either approve the proposed Northwest Quadrant Master Plan or uphold current zoning that preserves heritage farms and natural wetlands around the Great Salt Lake (“Plan sees mini-city west of airport,” Tribune , April 19). If developed as currently proposed, the results will be catastrophic.
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