Cleaner Communities
- Stacy Hughes
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Cleaner Communities Vision
South Jordan has over 37 parks and 250 acres of open space, with a significant portion located along the Jordan River and at the edges of the Daybreak boundaries. These open spaces, particularly Oquirrh Lake and the Jordan River, provide critical wetland mitigation and wildlife habitats.
"South Jordan is a family-oriented community, founded upon principles of accountability, integrity, industry, and innovation with an unwillingness to compromise in securing a sustainable environment for future generations."
As a city, are we confident that we are prioritizing efficiency and a reduction in resource consumption as we watch our city grow? South Jordan needs a champion on the City Council focused on the importance of "securing a sustainable environment for future generations?"
Energy
As a member of the Council, you can count on me to bring a forward-thinking, science-based approach to protecting the environment for future generations. In reviewing and supporting energy conservation programs, and initiatives that drive air quality improvement. I will be a voice for conservation, energy efficiency, and innovation.
As a Council, we must be mindful of energy consumption when reviewing city projects, and new construction, without constricting our business community - a fine line to walk.
I will not support zoning for low-value, high consumption businesses like AI Server Farms and Bitcoin mining operations, which drain energy resources (while bringing ZERO economic benefit by way of employment of sales tax revenue).
Water
South Jordan launched the Water Smart SoJo initiative with the intention of encouraging water-wise practices through rebates, cost savings, and landscape water efficiency standards. But is South Jordan following its own guidelines on maintenance and construction of City property?
The 2024 South Jordan Annual Report celebrated the removal of 108,403 square feet of residential grass, but is the City just as focused on water-wise adjustments in parks and city park strips?
Utah is the second driest state in the country. But when we look to the abundance of Kentucky Bluegrass decorating unused city park strips, our landscaping selections don't follow South Jordan's own best practices and recommendations.
As we prioritize water conservation, reporting issues with sprinkling and flooding needs to be streamlined, simple, and actionable.
Daybreak HOA uses the ClickFix app and website for reporting potholes, broken sprinklers, and other infrastructure needing attention. This 24/7 resource is also used by Sandy City, Syracuse, and Provo as a tool for residents wishing to report a concern. South Jordan operates via a phone number, listed three clicks deep on the city website. If water conservation is a priority, then we need to prioritize making it quick and easy to report issues on city property.
Open Spaces
We are privileged to have a city that is home to a beautiful lake*, rushing river, and hundreds of acres of open space to enjoy. But, those natural resources come with a duty to maintain them in a safe, environmentally conscious, and aesthetically pleasing manner.
The South Jordan City Council must address landscaping, water quality concerns, and invasive weeds in a collaborative and transparent manner so that these precious resources continue to enhance our community and compliment the biodiversity of our city.
Recycling
South Jordan currently offers only two glass recycling units to serve 85,000 people. If a reduction in resource use is a priority, then we need to increase the ease of recycling in our community.
*Oquirrh Lake is owned and maintained by Kennecott Land Company pursuant to maintenance agreement with South Jordan
