Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
This Summer Forum program features conversations with Laura Briefer, Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities, and Stephanie Duer, Water Conservation Manager for Salt Lake City.
Laura Briefer first shares an overview of Salt Lake City's water system, highlighting the importance of the city's reliance on diverse water sources to ensure a stable supply. She explains the various levels of water policy, from federal to state and municipal regulations. She discusses the impact of recent legislative changes on water management, including an increased focus on water conservation, funding for agricultural optimization, and the establishment of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner office to coordinate efforts across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders. She also discusses the city's proactive approach to managing aging infrastructure and its success in reducing water demand by 25% despite a 15% population increase.
After a Q & A with Laura Briefer, Water Conservation Manager Stephanie Duer delves further into the city's successful efforts to reduce water usage, noting that Salt Lake City's peak water demand has decreased from 217 million gallons/day in 2001 to 145 million gallons/day in the past year. Stephanie discusses steps residents can take to conserve water both inside and outside their homes, highlighting several programs offered by the city: water audits, a low-water grass seed program, and water maps to help property owners manage water use more efficiently.
Laura Briefer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah. She was appointed director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities in 2016 and has served in that capacity since that time. She has also co-authored papers on water resources and watershed management of the central Wasatch Mountains.
Stephanie Duer is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of water conservation and efficiency research and programs for Salt Lake City and the Public Utilities Service Area. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and a Master’s in professional communication from Westminster University.
This program was recorded on July 7, 2024, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to moderator Cathy Chambless for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Opening Sequence
00:26 Welcome – Cathy Chambless
01:28 Chalice Lighting – Carole Straughn
03:05 Introduction of Program Format – Cathy Chambless
04:34 Introduction of Laura Briefer – Cathy Chambless
05:44 Presentation – Laura Briefer, Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities
27:25 Q & A with Laura Briefer
38:58 Introduction of Stephanie Duer – Cathy Chambless
39:18 Presentation – Stephanie Duer, Salt Lake City Water Conservation Manager
59:46 Q & A with Stephanie Duer
1:11:39 Announcements & Wrap-Up – Cathy Chambless
1:15:09 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ Environmental Issues / Nature: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbGl3i7Iy3xA2S15vD-nRmI
This Summer Forum program features conversations with Laura Briefer, Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities, and Stephanie Duer, Water Conservation Manager for Salt Lake City.
Laura Briefer first shares an overview of Salt Lake City's water system, highlighting the importance of the city's reliance on diverse water sources to ensure a stable supply. She explains the various levels of water policy, from federal to state and municipal regulations. She discusses the impact of recent legislative changes on water management, including an increased focus on water conservation, funding for agricultural optimization, and the establishment of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner office to coordinate efforts across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders. She also discusses the city's proactive approach to managing aging infrastructure and its success in reducing water demand by 25% despite a 15% population increase.
After a Q & A with Laura Briefer, Water Conservation Manager Stephanie Duer delves further into the city's successful efforts to reduce water usage, noting that Salt Lake City's peak water demand has decreased from 217 million gallons/day in 2001 to 145 million gallons/day in the past year. Stephanie discusses steps residents can take to conserve water both inside and outside their homes, highlighting several programs offered by the city: water audits, a low-water grass seed program, and water maps to help property owners manage water use more efficiently.
Laura Briefer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah. She was appointed director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities in 2016 and has served in that capacity since that time. She has also co-authored papers on water resources and watershed management of the central Wasatch Mountains.
Stephanie Duer is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of water conservation and efficiency research and programs for Salt Lake City and the Public Utilities Service Area. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and a Master’s in professional communication from Westminster University.
This program was recorded on July 7, 2024, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to moderator Cathy Chambless for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Opening Sequence
00:26 Welcome – Cathy Chambless
01:28 Chalice Lighting – Carole Straughn
03:05 Introduction of Program Format – Cathy Chambless
04:34 Introduction of Laura Briefer – Cathy Chambless
05:44 Presentation – Laura Briefer, Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities
27:25 Q & A with Laura Briefer
38:58 Introduction of Stephanie Duer – Cathy Chambless
39:18 Presentation – Stephanie Duer, Salt Lake City Water Conservation Manager
59:46 Q & A with Stephanie Duer
1:11:39 Announcements & Wrap-Up – Cathy Chambless
1:15:09 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ Environmental Issues / Nature: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbGl3i7Iy3xA2S15vD-nRmI
