Salt Lake County Unveils Watershed Protection Plan

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Salt Lake County today announced the beginning of a three-year effort to protect and manage water quality countywide. The plan, named the Water Quality Stewardship Plan - or WaQSP - targets six areas of improvement.

One of the goals is to restore and protect the county's natural environment. Karen Nichols, a consultant from the firm contracted to manage the project, says they will work to bring many of the bridged and piped streams back out into the open. She says other waterways are at risk due to development and the WaQSP plan is needed to educate developers about protecting water quality.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon says the program will help guide plans for wastewater treatment plants and water reclamation systems for new development.

The WaQSP plan will also evaluate the effects of Utah Lake and irrigation canals on water quality and develop strategies to evaluate in-stream flows. The plan is a collaborative effort between the county, its cities, and other watershed stakeholders.

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