This Is What Really, Really Cheap Water Is Actually Costing Utah

The state's widespread practice of supplying unlimited untreated water to homes may be part of the reason it has to spend billions on a new pipeline and dam.

2 minute read

March 13, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By Katharine Jose


Wasatch Mountains

vagabond54 / Shutterstock

Compared to other states, Utah is among the driest, among the thirstiest, and among the fastest-growing; it's also the only state that provides, to a significant number of residential properties, "untreated agricultural water from canals, sold at an unmetered flat rate, to irrigate their lawns, gardens and landscaping." 

It's called "secondary water," writes Matt Weiser at Water Deeply, and the practice stems from the unusual way that water rights in Utah developed as agricultural land gave way to residential construction. 

"In nearly every other community in the nation, when farms were converted to housing the irrigation water was usually sold to other farms or allowed to remain in-stream. And new homes used treated drinking water for outdoor irrigation as well as in their kitchens and baths – all measured and billed according to a single meter at the curb." 

But in Utah, 61 percent of urban water suppliers allow unlimited secondary water use, usually for $10 to $15 dollar per month. 

Without meters, it's more or less impossible to obtain definitive statistics on water use in Utah, but one study did show residents of Salt Lake County—which does not supply secondary water—used 78 percent less water than residents of two neighboring counties. 

Recently, the unbridled use of secondary water has been the target of criticism as Utah debates two enormous, expensive water projects. The first is a dam on the Bear River, which is the most significant tributary to the shrinking Great Salt Lake; the other is a pipeline from Lake Powell, a reservoir that has challenges of its own 

Some conservationists and fiscal conservatives would rather see the state try to reduce water use first, but both groups expect resistance. Weiser speaks to the state senator who recently introduced a bill to require meters on secondary water supplies across the entire state; the politician succinctly comments, I can tell you right now, the cities are not going to like that.

Monday, March 5, 2018 in Water Deeply

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

7 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today