Some celebrate, some wait as remote Utah community receives running water

‘A precious life source:’ A small Navajo community celebrates running water milestone after 25 years

Generations of Navajo families in Westwater, a small community just outside Blanding, lived for decades without basic utilities, hauling water from a spring or from town to meet daily needs. After years of resilience and advocacy, they are now celebrating a life-changing milestone: running water in their homes. Thomas Chee, Westwater community president, speaks at the spring where families historically gathered water before the community was con…

‘Our prayers were answered’: After 25 years of advocacy, a small Navajo community has water

The Navajo community of Westwater is pictured on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Three weeks ago, the taps rumbled to life in Thomas Chee’s home. For the first time in his life, water sputtered through his faucet.  “Oh, it was so beautiful,” said 47-year-old Chee on Friday. “Boy, it just hit me. It hit hard, and I just broke down.”  Chee is one of the few dozen residents of Westwater, Utah, a small Navajo community in t…

Some celebrate, some wait as remote Utah community receives running water

Just three years ago, the small, southeastern Utah community of Westwater celebrated the arrival of electricity; on Friday, they finally enjoyed running water.