It's a people problem

I attended Gov. Gary Herbert's Utah's Water Future discussion session in Salt Lake City and learned some stuff.

I learned that it takes 100 gallons of water to grow a watermelon in Green River and that Utah residents use, on average, 300 gallons a day, which places us in a category of worst water wasters in the world. I learned that we don't pay the real cost of water due to property tax subsidies which only serve to encourage waste. I also learned that the lines are firmly drawn between those people wanting more water projects (Bear River Diversion, Lake Powell Pipeline, etc.) and those preaching conservation.

But what I really learned was that we don't have a water problem; we have a people problem. The reason why this group was convened to deal with this upcoming "water shortage emergency" is because of the out-of-control population growth that is forecast for this state. Herbert requested innovative approaches in dealing with our water crisis. How about responsible family planning and birth control?

John H. Weis

Salt Lake City