• Customers must apply for service in writing by applying in person in our office, by fax, or by transferring an application from an existing account in good standing. They may also apply in the field if the new owner is present when a final reading is taken for the previous owner.
• A picture ID or copy thereof must accompany the application.
• All tenants of single dwellings and some owners are required to place a security deposit.

Turning Water On

• A time to turn water service on will be scheduled once customers sign for service.
• An adult must be present to prevent water damage in case a faucet has been left on or there are property side plumbing leaks.

Shutting Water Off

• A service charge is collected if appointments to have water turned on are not kept.
• Applications for service remain valid until notification by the responsible party to discontinue service.
• When notification to discontinue service is received, a final bill is generated and the water is turned off at the meter.

In An Emergency

• The master valve is usually located on an interior wall in line with the water meter where the water supply enters the building. It is a good idea to mark the master valve with an easily identifiable tag and make certain it shuts off the water.
• Call Public Utilities Emergency at 483-6700 if you have a leak anywhere on the inside plumbing and are unable to locate the master valve. An emergency worker will be dispatched to shut off the water at the meter. When repairs are complete an emergency worker will turn the water on at your request.
• Because winters are cold in Salt Lake City, all customers should insulate rooms with outside walls or make certain they receive adequate heat to prevent freezing. Frozen pipes can burst and cause property damage.  Leaving a small stream of water running from faucets where freezing may be problem might be a good idea. Running the tap water is much less expensive than the damage caused by a bursting pipe.

Billing

• City meters are read and billed monthly. Bills include charges for water service, garbage pickup, sewer service, a storm water charge, and a franchise fee of 6% of the water and sewer charges.
• Customers living outside city boundaries are billed for water service only.
• Bills are due 15 days after the mailing date.
• If service is terminated because of a past due bill or rules violations, before service is restored, a reconnection fee will assessed and collected in addition to the delinquent amount.

Storm Water Utility

• The goal of the storm water utility is to provide for the collection and management of storm water runoff. This minimizes property damage and protects and improves the surface water quality. Salt Lake City operates and maintains 226 miles of storm water lines and open ditches.
• Part of the storm water program involves cleaning up the environment. Customers can help by making sure lawn fertilizer and pesticides are properly applied by avoiding run off into the curb and street. Motor oil should be delivered to one of Salt Lake’s recyclers instead of dumping it down drains or placing it in a garbage container.
• Residential service charges are as follows:

1. Single-family residential and duplex parcels, less than or equal to .25 acres - $3.00 per month
2. Single-family or duplex parcels greater than .25 acres - $4.25 per month
3. All triplex and fourplex residential parcels are charged $6.00 per month.

These fees are based upon a lot’s "impervious surface," which means the hard surface area of a parcel which either prevents or retards the the entry of water into the soil and/or causes water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from that which would be present under natural conditions. Impervious surfaces may include, but are not limited to: rooftops; concrete or asphalt paving; walkways; patios; driveways; parking lots or storage areas; trafficked gravel; or other surfaces which similarly impede the natural infiltration into the ground or runoff of storm and surface water.

Franchise Fee

• Most cities charge franchise fees to utilities operating within their jurisdiction. Salt Lake City charges a 6% franchise fee on water and sewer charges billed to city residents. This fee reimburses the city for use of its streets for pipe lines which supply customers with water and sewer service. The money from this fee goes into the city’s general fund to provide funding for parks and streets as well as fire and police protection.

Refuse Collection

• Salt Lake City furnishes each residential housing unit a wheeled garbage container. The container should be placed curbside on collection by 7:00 a.m.
• A garbage fee (currently $12 per container) is included on the water utility bill. For more information regarding pickup times, additional garbage container, recycling, etc., click here.

Abatements (Utility Bill Reductions)

• Customers who qualify for the Salt Lake County tax abatement program are eligible for a reduction in their water, garbage and storm water charges. Call Salt Lake County at 468-3253 for abatement information.

Water Assist

The department, in partnership with the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross (who administers the program), offers Salt Lake City customers financial assistance with their utility bills. To contribute to this program, customers mark a box on their bill and include the amount with their monthly payment. For assistance, a customer must qualify at 150% of poverty level and/or have a family member who meets one or more of the following criteria:

1. Be 60 years or older
2. Be disabled
3. Have a verifiable medical emergency
4. Qualify for the County Tax Abatement program

For additional information, or to apply for this program, call: Salt Lake City Chapter, American Red Cross at 467-7339 or Salt Lake City Public Utilities at 483-6900.