Letter: LDS Church should pay fairly for its water

If Utah has a right to water from Lake Powell, it should take it. With Utah's growing population and ever-oscillating climate, obtaining and conserving water become increasingly more important.

I suspect one of the largest consumers of water in Kane and Washington counties is the LDS Church with its dozens and possibly a hundred or more buildings including ward houses, seminaries, tabernacles and of course the St. George Temple.

All these buildings sit on nicely landscaped, water-guzzling parcels. I would hope that they do not water in southern Utah like they do in Utah County: at the worst possible hours, for too long, too often, and when not needed.

Although the LDS Church pays for water usage for these buildings, it pays no taxes to support this infrastructure. The LDS Church needs to step up to the plate and pay its fair share for the construction of the Lake Powell pipeline. After all, the estimated price tag is only a measly billion dollars. That amount wouldn't pay for half a Mormon mall.

Philip Long

Lindon