ST. GEORGE — Since 2002, southern Nevada’s reliance on water from the Colorado River has dropped by 26% even as the area’s population has exploded like other points in the Southwest. Per capita use also dropped by nearly 50% through the application of various policies and regulations.

This has helped the region, and Las Vegas in particular, come to be seen as a model of conservation in the drought-stricken West.

The Washington County Water Conservancy District hopes to have similar water conservation success by bringing on one of the men that helped guide southern Nevada’s efforts.

The water district announced last Tuesday the hire of Doug Bennett as its new water conservation manager. He joined the water district following 23 years as the conservation manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Las Vegas. Prior to that, he was an irrigation conservation manager in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Bennett has more than 28 years’ experience in successful water conservation at two western water agencies and broad experience in landscape management in desert climate,” the water district’s Tuesday press release states.

While with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Bennett developed and managed the nation’s largest landscape conversion program, transforming more than 215 million square feet of grass and the world’s largest professional conference for urban water efficiency, Water Smart Innovations.

Bennett has received more than a dozen conservation awards, including the Water Star Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency. He worked on projects for the Water Reuse Foundation, the Water Research Foundation, the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program, the US Green Building Council and the American Water Works Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in business management from New Mexico State University.

Now a part of the county water district, Bennett will oversee the development and implementation of the district’s conservation policies and programs.

“Doug is a proven, nationally recognized leader in water conservation,” Zach Renstrom, the water district’s general manager, said in the press release. “His extensive experience and vision will elevate our water conservation efforts to the next level. We’re thrilled he’s joined our team.”

While there are similarities between the water challenges southern Nevada and southwest Utah face — namely continuing growth in the wake of a limited water supply — unique challenges will also likely unfold as he becomes familiar with the area, Bennett told St. George News.

On the job three days, Bennet sat down with St. George News and spoke about his move from Las Vegas to Southern Utah and what he hopes to achieve.

“The most exciting parts of my career have been in program development,” he said. “I feel like there’s a valuable goal being pursued here and I can contribute to it. It’s honestly the excitement of coming here and doing something meaningful that appeals to me.”

That excitement will come as he seeks to improve on current conservation programs and potentially craft new ones, Bennett said. Programs he helped build as a part of the SNWA over the last 23 years have taken off and are cruising along very well and have helped reduce per capita water use in Las Vegas by 48% since 2002.

Conserving water in a high-growth environment like Washington County will involve using the best practices and utilizing technologies to get the same impact with a smaller water footprint, Bennett said.

“The best example is your landscaping,” he said.

Lawns can be water-intensive, and while they have their place backyards and public parks, decorative, or nonfunctional lawns, need to be replaced with water-friendly landscaping, Bennett said.

“What we want to do is find other green stuff to put there,” he said.

It has been a practice and policy of the water district to promote xeriscaping and inform homeowners about the need for water-efficient desert landscaping. Efforts to push this practice have found greater emphasis as the drought has intensified. The practice has also found its place in local, county and municipal regulation governing new construction.

As outdoor irrigation accounts for around 60% of the county’s overall water use, Bennett said he plans to continue efforts to educate the public about better landscaping and water use practices. However, he also hopes to hear from the public about water conservation measures and the county in general as a new resident to the area.

“I have a lot to learn about Southern Utah, the people that live here and the values they have,” he said, adding people don’t need to wait for public meetings to speak with him. They should feel free to contact the water district and speak to him directly, he said.

“I’m eager to hear from people.” Bennett said. “Its important to hear from the people who agree with you. And the people who disagree with you.”

In addition to adopting new water-efficient landscaping and outdoor practices, Bennett said education, water rates and regulation also contribute to conservation efforts.

“The most powerful water conservation tool is right here,” Bennett said as he pointed to his head.

Once residents become educated in the “why and hows” of water conservation, they tend to adopt them accordingly, he said. However, for that segment of the population that refuses to change, water rates can come into play.

Though rates need to remain affordable for the average user, rates for those who use more water should receive bills that reflect that increase, he said. Regulatory measures — of which there are many already in place in Washington County — can also encourage conservation.

Other ways people can reduce their water use include using up-to-date appliances indoors. Bennett primarily spoke of people installing new toilets and washing machines as they can “save significant amounts of water,” while also providing savings on a household’s water bill.

People may qualify for rebates of up to $100-$300 for new appliances found on the water district’s website, Bennett added.

When it comes to enforcement of water conservation policy, local water managers and elected officials have maintained the practice of education over any potential punitive action.

Conversely, Las Vegas has its own Water Patrol “to protect and conserve” its water use. These water waste investigators monitor Las Vegas neighborhoods looking for potential violations and document them. Violations tend to be met with education on how to fix a water waste issue, such as excess water runoff or a broken sprinkler, and can increase to fines of over $1,000 if left to persist.

Instituting that kind of enforcement program in Southern Utah is not likely to happen as local officials have long bulked at the idea of creating “water cops.” The water district itself has little ability to enforce water policy as that authority primarily rests in the hands of county and municipal governments.

Bennett did not mention the Water Patrol as he spoke to St. George News, yet acknowledged Las Vegas has “some pretty aggressive” water conservation policies. However, while certain programs may work for Las Vegas, they may not translate well to Washington County, he said.

When it comes to water conservation policy and enforcement, Bennett said it should be a collaborative effort between the water district, local governments and the public.

“When need to look and see what the fit is for Washington County,” he said while reiterating he needs some time to better familiarize himself with the people, culture and issues concerning residents of Southern Utah.

“I’m really excited to be here,” Bennett said. “This is the kind of work I most enjoy doing, and that’s what was very attractive to me when this position opened up.”

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