Utah's New Surf Spot: Fun or Water Waste?

Perfect Waves, But at What Cost?

A new surf spot is coming to Washington County, Utah, called Zion Shores. This place will feature man-made waves, mimicking the ocean. The waves will be perfect every time—no waiting, no guessing.

The Water Dilemma

Utah is dry. Water is precious there. So, why build a huge surf pool?

The water for Zion Shores is not drinkable. It's salty and requires expensive treatment—about $10 million just to make it safe for the pool.

Controversy and Concerns

Some people worry that using so much water for recreation is a bad idea, especially in a water-scarce region. Others argue that using non-potable water is better than letting it go to waste.

City Regulations and Restrictions

• Developers cannot use city water.
• They cannot dump waste into the city’s sewer system.
• They must treat their own water.
• They cannot request city water in the future if they run out.

The city cannot stop the project, but they can reduce its impact. A deal was made to use less water, and rules were set to protect it.

The Bigger Plan

Zion Shores is part of a larger development, including homes, hotels, and shops. The homes will mostly be short-term rentals, costing over $1.6 million each.

The Waiting Game

The developers still need a building permit. They must show how they will source, treat, and dispose of the water. Their plan involves sending waste to an evaporation pond and the leftovers to the county dump.

The city is still reviewing the plan. The developers are waiting—construction on the surf pools has not yet begun.