Despite apparently plentiful water supplies in most of Utah this spring, the Governor's Water Conservation Team still wants residents to abide by its slogan, "Slow the flow: Save H2O."

"Regardless of how the water levels are in Utah, every resident needs to establish a long-term water-conservation ethic so that we can use this resource wisely today, and for future generations," said Eric Klotz, water-conservation and education chief with the Utah Division of Water Resources.

Speaking to the Deseret News editorial board Tuesday, the Water Conservation Team reported that most Utahns are making progress in water conservation, but they should not slack off — even in average or above-average years of moisture received.

Klotz said some residents turned their sprinklers on last week, but during most years — this one included — there is still enough moisture in the ground from winter snowfall and spring rains that most grasses and plants do not need water until well into the month of May.

He also stressed that Utahns should not regard their sprinkling systems as fully automatic. They should water according to the weather and temporarily turn off their systems after storms, to avoid wasting water.

Klotz said most Utahns water the proper length of time. They just do it too often.

"You can have your green lawn, but don't water it so often," he urged.

One-third of Utah's total water usage is indoors, while two-thirds is outdoors. Hence the outdoor water-conservation thrust.

"Every drop of water we conserve is one drop we don't have to develop," said Gene Shawcroft, assistant general manager for the Central Utah Water Conservancy District.

The governor's team wants to meet Utah's future water needs by getting half from conservation alone. Another quarter would come from surpluses in agricultural conversion, and the remaining 25 percent would come from the development of new water supplies.

Not only are new water sources limited, they also will be much more expensive to develop in the future.

Klotz said he spent $1,000 recently to take out his parking-strip lawn for water-conservation reasons. He figures that only saves him $30 a year in water use, so you've got to think really long-term in some areas of conservation.

This year's "Slow the Flow" campaign theme will focus on "Half as much."

New this year will be a weekly lawn-watering guide, created by the team to help Utahns better know how many times a week lawns should be watered.

More information on water conservation is available at www.slowtheflow.org.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com