The Utah Department of Natural Resources recommends an inch and a half of water per week for lawns during peak irrigation season.
Officials in Park City’s water department recommended allocating enough water for 65% lawn coverage of a property’s irrigated area.
Based on those variables, property owners would begin paying additional fees after surpassing 100% of their allocated volume.
Customers that are using less than their monthly water budget are expected to see a decrease in their bills. However, property owners going past the new threshold can expect to see costs go up.
The goal of the new policy is to encourage water conservation for the city’s 180 existing irrigation accounts, which are solely for outdoor watering.
Park City Councilmember Jeremy Rubell said he supports the new policy in part because it's consistent with the city’s new rate system for single-family homes.
“You don’t hit penalty pricing until you use more water than you’re supposed to use to take care of your land, as defined by a widely accepted state benchmark,” Rubell said.
Park City Public Utilities Director Clint McAffee said the new rate structure will take effect in July bills covering June water usage.
McAffee said he wants to establish a process so property owners that feel their lot size is being miscalculated can work through it with the city.
Park City Municipal is a financial supporter of KPCW.
