A flurry of water reuse claims could threaten to take more water from the Great Salt Lake, but the dozens of applications sit unapproved because of statutory issues.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Water treated by the North Davis Sewer District makes its way into Farmington Bay on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Lawmakers passed a bill meant to bar reuse of treated wastewater that currently flows to the lake, but may have spurred a flurry of applications for reuse projects instead.
| June 5, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake – and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.
An effort by Utah cities and other government bodies to get more use out of their water supplies has hit a wall — because of mistakes in the paperwork.
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Dozens of applications from cities and special districts seeking to reuse treated wastewater lacked crucial elements, including plans to replace water that would otherwise flow to the Great Salt Lake, according to online documentation from the Utah Division of Water Rights.
As Utah grows, water providers have looked to reuse treated wastewater “as a means to stretch their water supply,” said Deputy State Engineer Blake Bingham. That’s especially true as water becomes more scarce, he said.
Those providers have to get permission before doing so, though, and the state received a deluge of these applications in the second half of 2023.
Before 2023, officials with the Division of Water Rights only had 25 reuse projects cross their desks in about as many years. About a third came from southern Utah communities outside of the Great Salt Lake basin.
Then, from March until Nov. 1 of last year, the division received 45 water reuse applications. All but one came from counties inside the lake’s watershed.
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The applications flooded in after the Utah Legislature approved a bill that barred the Division of Water Rights from approving any new water reuse applications for projects that would have otherwise discharged to the Great Salt Lake or its tributary rivers.
It included some exceptions:
Water reuse proposals designed specifically to supply water to the lake.
Projects that include water rights owned by the federal government.
Projects approved subject to a plan that replaces any water that would have otherwise flowed to the lake.
Proposals filed before Nov. 1, 2023.
The spate of applications rang alarm bells for one expert — Brigham Daniels, professor at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law — who told The Tribune in December that approving all of them would “make a big dent in the opposite direction” of the goal to save the Great Salt Lake.
Yet what Bingham, the engineer, said was likely a “flash-to-bang” by cities and other water providers in applications to get their foot in the door has resulted in a host of issues within the applications.
The state engineer’s office reviews applications to identify underlying water rights and to make sure the reuse would not exceed the amount of water the providers are allowed to consume and completely remove from the system, Bingham said.
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Under a somewhat new sequence, he said, providers must apply first to the Division of Water Rights and then to the Division of Water Quality — an agency that evaluates the proposals for water quality issues.
Water providers were always supposed to get approval from the two divisions, Bingham said, but the new sequence makes sure the applications make it to both agencies.
The state engineer’s office has not yet approved any of the dozens of applications received toward the end of last year, according to the Division of Water Rights website.
One was rejected for failure to advertise, and for a reuse proposal that the state engineer found was “inconsistent with underlying water rights.”
The division has returned dozens of others because they did not include everything required by state law.
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“I think a lot of the challenge is trying to get the applicants to comply with the requirements in the statute,” Bingham said. “And one of the requirements is a reuse authorization contract.”
Because cities don’t apply for water reuse often, he said, it can be hard to understand what’s needed, especially when it comes to a water replacement plan.
Several cities thought they didn’t have to file a plan to send a comparable amount of water back into the Great Salt Lake’s watershed, he said.
Historically, water providers have tended to approach the state engineer before filing to make sure they have their ducks in a row, Bingham said.
The office is happy to help when people reach out for it, he said, but there didn’t seem to be a demand before the flood of applications last year.
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Megan Banta is The Salt Lake Tribune’s data enterprise reporter, a philanthropically supported position. The Tribune retains control over all editorial decisions.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Five vehicles collided with a piece of exercise equipment on I-15 near the Arizona-Utah border on Friday, according to Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department.
At around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, fire personnel responded to an incident involving five vehicles on I-15 Southbound at Mile Marker 17. Crews arrived on scene to find “slightly used exercise equipment” in the middle of the road, officials said.
Five vehicles collided with a piece of exercise equipment on I-15 near the Arizona-Utah border on Friday. (Courtesy: Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department)
A total of 14 people were involved in the collisions, though only one was taken to the hospital, St. George Regional, as a result.
“Please drive defensively; Keep your eyes on the road,” a social media post from Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire states.
Utah couldn’t get enough defensive stops Saturday night against No. 9 BYU in the latest rivalry matchup at the Huntsman Center.
The Runnin’ Utes, though, made the Cougars work for the victory, even as a heavy underdog.
There are no moral victories in this bitter rivalry, but if Utah can show progress moving forward from BYU’s harder-than-expected 89-84 victory, this kind of effort won’t go in vain.
“I think it was, there was a lot of little things, a lot of game plan things, little details that I don’t know if we just forgot or didn’t pay attention to,” Utah first-year coach Alex Jensen said about what cost Utah against the Cougars.
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“Down the stretch, we’ve talked about it for a while because we’re going to give up size to other teams, but giving up the offensive (boards), it’s hard to get a stop and then they get the offensive rebounds. It’s a hard thing to come back from, especially the last few minutes.”
BYU Cougars fans cheer as Utah Utes fans turn upset as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen gestures during the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes and BYU Cougars fans take in the game at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights to get off a shot as Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) hits his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) and BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) defend Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights for the ball with Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) argues a call as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is fouled by Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hits Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) in the arm causing him to not catch a pass as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after a whistle as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) isn’t able to make a catch on a passed ball after BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hit his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) blocks a shot attempt by Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a face as he guards Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) work to defend Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) and BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) reach for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) drives around BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) on his way to the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) fives teamate Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) after McHenry made a touch bucket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young, yells to his players as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) guards Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen, yells out to his players on the court as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) is hit by BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) under the basket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) tries to knock the ball away from BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) and Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) work to trap BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as they play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) and BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) battle for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) defends BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) argues a call after being whistled for fouling BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) tries to avoid running into BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) on a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) pushes up a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed yells after being fouled as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) fouls BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) watches as Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) grabs a rebound as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) tries a free-throw but misses as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) goes around Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) dribbles away from BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forwards Dominique Diomande (24) and AJ Dybantsa (3) jump in celebration after the Cougars defeated Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans erupt after no foul was called late in the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU defeated Utah 89-84. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans and BYU Cougars players gesture and jaw back and forth as the Cougars exit the arena after defeating Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) and BYU Cougars forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrate the Cougar win over Utah at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU held on to win 89-84. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) falls as BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) grabs the loose ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) blocks BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) at the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) turns as Utah Utes forward Ibrahima Traore (31) celebrates causing a turnover as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) is defended by BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Jensen lamented his team’s defensive effort against the Cougars multiple times in the postgame press conference — BYU was able to shoot 50% in the game, and the Cougars held a 41-33 rebounding edge.
Senior Richie Saunders, who had never beaten Utah in the Huntsman Center until Saturday, was especially destructive on the boards. He had 14, including six on the offensive end, and helped BYU have a 16-10 edge in offensive boards and 19-14 in second-chance points.
“It’s hard to give up 89 points and win, right?” Jensen said. “And if you look at all the good teams in college that win, (they) are the other teams that defend and rebound.”
Utah has made giving BYU headaches in the Huntsman a routine thing. Even though the Cougars are the program on the ascent, the Utes still won their last two games in the series played at the storied venue.
Utah even pumped some belief into the packed house multiple times over the course of the game that it could stun BYU again.
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The Utes got out to a 7-0 start in the game, then matched BYU punch for punch in the first half before going into the break down two after a questionable foul call resulted in two free throws from AJ Dybantsa just before the half.
Though BYU eventually built a 13-point lead in the second half, the Utes fought back again and made it a one-possession game multiple times down the stretch.
That included cutting it to 81-80 on two Terrence Brown free throws with 3:15 to play.
Then, the Utes had a defensive stop in the final minute down three, but a costly turnover — just Utah’s ninth of the night — gave BYU the ball back with eight seconds remaining.
Two Saunders free throws followed that turnover from Brown, and with that, the Utes’ fight came up short.
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Brown and Don McHenry showed up well in their introduction to the rivalry, as the dynamic scoring guards accounted for more than half of Utah’s points.
Brown had a game-high 25 points to go with five assists, three rebounds and two blocked shots, while McHenry had 21 points, two assists, two rebounds and a steal.
“Coach was just just saying you should be excited to play in a game like this,” Brown said. “… It was just a good opportunity, and it was definitely exciting.”
Fifth-year forward James Okonkwo provided a spark in front of a raucous crowd, to the tune of 13 rebounds, four points and two assists.
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“James has been great the last two games. It’s great because it leads us with a physicality and just his presence, and that’s kind of what we want from him as a fifth-year senior,” Jensen said.
“The last two games, he’s been great and hopefully we get that, that same James going forward.”
Speaking of the crowd, the Utes noticed just how much a packed house for the first time this season — call it the annual rivalry effect — brought an energy to an arena that is often far too quiet as Utah tries to rebuild a once-proud program.
“I think the MUSS did a really good job of, like energizing us. It was a different level of energy in the game today, and it was really encouraging,” Okonkwo said.
“We went out on a really good run to start the game, and you could just feel it. We were locked in and it was really fun.”
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It wasn’t enough to best BYU’s Big 3. Dybantsa, the projected lottery pick, had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, Saunders tossed in 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds (six offensive), while Rob Wright III added 23 points and six assists.
Can Utah learn from this game and take some lessons into the rest of Big 12 play?
Yes, the Utes are likely to lose the majority of their games the remainder of the season — they are the worst-ranked Big 12 team in the NET and KenPom, by a sizable margin — but Utah also showed that it’s progressing, even if incrementally.
“Honestly, like we have enough — we’re going to be so good when we clean up just a little mistakes,“ Okonkwo said. ”Honestly, that’s my opinion.
“That’s what (coach) was kind of harping on about in the locker room, just staying consistent. Just get better every day.”
As the Utah Jazz look to take on the Charlotte Hornets for their second of two meetings for the season, it’ll mark the first time that a familiar face, Collin Sexton, returns to the Delta Center since his offseason trade to the East Coast.
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Earlier in this past offseason, Sexton was sent to the Hornets along with a pair of future second-round picks in exchange for veteran center Jusuf Nurki. It was a deal that was a bit criticized from Utah’s perspective upon initially going down, but in the time since, has seen both players find their way into notable roles with their new squads.
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While Nurkic is listed as questionable to suit up for the action against his former team, Sexton seems ready to go against his, and could even start back in Utah after having previously done so in the Hornets’ latest game against the Indiana Pacers; a game they fell short in 112-114.
So, not only will Sexton be looking for a bounce-back win off a loss, but he could have an extra chip on his shoulder to perform well against his former team as well.
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Collin Sexton Returns to Utah as Jazz Take on Hornets
Sexton was a part of the Jazz for three seasons from 2022 to 2025 after initially coming aboard as a part of the extensive Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markkanen trade as a sign-and-trade acquisition, and for the tenure that he was in Salt Lake City, was a pretty significant part of the roster––playing a total of 189 games, starting in 120 of them.
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In that time, Sexton averaged 17.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 39.8% from three, being a consistent offensive piece in the backcourt next to a growing Keyonte George and, at the time, his fellow veteran guard, Jordan Clarkson.
However, the Jazz, during their latest offseason, made the inevitable shift to focus on their young talent in place of Sexton after three good years of being a core rotational piece, sending him to Charlotte for his third team since being drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2018.
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Nov 2, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (8) on defense against Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Since being in Charlotte, Sexton has remained about as steady as he was in Utah––averaging 15.2 points a night on 48.3% from the field, paired with 2.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, filling in once again as a valuable locker room add and veteran teammate to help bring along the Hornets’ developing roster.
Last time he went up against the Jazz, it was on his new home floor in Charlotte, making for a pretty brutal game from the Jazz, as they were blown out by Sexton and the Hornets, 103-126 at the beginning of November, which also made for the first time Utah was without Walker Kessler after he was ruled out for the season due to shoulder surgery on a torn labrum.
The Jazz will try and even up their season series, looking a bit different from that two-month span, and will be forced to do so without the services of Lauri Markkanen (rest) and Ace Bailey (hip), thus giving a brighter green light for Keyonte George to have another explosive night scoring the ball, this time against his former teammate.
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