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Lehi Cityscape

Secondary Water Metering Project

Secondary water meter

Lehi City initiated a five to six-year effort in October 2022 to install secondary water meters on all properties within city boundaries. The Utah State Legislature’s requirement to install meters on all secondary water connections by 2030 prompted this project. We endorse the State’s mission to alleviate Utah’s drought and conserve water. Lehi City anticipates a 20% to 40% reduction in water usage by installing secondary water meters and providing residents with usage data. 

CURRENT SERVICE AREAS:

Hydro Vac Excavations, the City’s chosen contractor, is making progress in installing the secondary water meters and has completed Phase 1 with Phase 2 nearing completion, marking a significant milestone. Currently, they are serving the the communities near 2600 N to 2100 N and 300 W to Sunset Dr., which consists of: Sunset Estates, Sunset North, Pioneer Estates, Ridgepoint Estates, Elton Manor, and Cutler Crossing. 

Installation will continue in these areas through May, maintaining the City’s commitment to enhancing water infrastructure and ensuring future sustainable resource management for residents.  

For concerns regarding leaks, or landscaping post-installation of a new meter, please contact Hydro Vac Excavation at 385-465-4687.

Map of the meter phases.

Click here to see an enlarged version of the meter installation map. 

What You Should know:

With over 12,000 meters to switch out, the project will take 5-6 years to complete. Over this time Lehi City will conduct a rate study to develop an equitable structure, which will encourage water conservation.

The secondary water metering project began in October 2022. The first community for the project was Traverse Mountain, which was completed in fall 2023.

Since 2016, all new pressurized connections have been equipped with secondary water meters. These meters are currently only used for data collection.

The irrigation meter installation project will take several years to complete. The City will also use a multi-year process to develop a new rate structure. This process will occur in a transparent manner with public input. Included in this process will be the determination of when the new rates will take effect.

Once the new rate is developed, it will impact residents based on their water usage. Rates for residents who use higher amounts of water could increase, while residents who conserve could decrease compared to the current rate structure.

The City has contracted with Hydro Vac Excavations LLC for the installation of the water meters

For concerns about leaks, or landscaping after a new meter has been installed, call Hydro Vac Excavation at 385-465-4687.

frequently asked questions

When will I be notified that meter installation will begin in my neighborhood?

A door hanger will be placed at each home a couple of weeks before crews start working in that area.

How long will the installation take?

Once the hole is dug installation of the meter will be next day then it may be a couple of days before that hole is backfilled

How can I tell if I have a meter?

You will see a new purple water meter lid in your yard or the park strip.

What is the difference between a loan and bond?

A bond is just a type of loan. Lehi City will borrow $3,643,000 from the Division of Water Resources, use those funds along with the $10,000,000 grant from the State to purchase and install pressurized irrigation meters. The City will then repay the Division of Water Resources over a period of 15 years at an interest rate of 1%. Without this loan, the City would need to secure other financing, which would be at a higher interest rate.

How will the bond be paid for?

The bonds will be repaid from revenues of Lehi’s Pressurized Irrigation System. No tax revenues will be impacted as a result of the repayment of the bonds. The repayment of the bonds will influence system costs and user rates along with other factors such as: water acquisition costs, water share maintenance costs, inflation, and infrastructure maintenance costs.

When will the meter rates begin?

The irrigation meter installation project will take several years to complete. The City will also use a multi-year process to develop a new rate structure. This process will occur in a transparent manner with public input. Included in this process will be the determination of when the new rates will take effect.

Will we pay meter rates year-long?

The question of whether rates will be incurred throughout the year will ultimately be determined by the same process used to develop the new rate structure. Most likely, the rate structure will have a base rate, which is paid throughout the full year, along with a usage rate that will only be paid when irrigation water is used.

Will my landscaping in the installation area be restored?

Yes. The contractor will restore landscaping as closely as possible to preinstall conditions. If a service box is covered by landscaping, it will have to be cleared for permanent City access. 

Will the sod be replaced?

Yes, the sod will be replaced. For meters put in after the irrigation is turned off in the fall, new sod will be replaced in the spring when irrigation is back on and sod is available. 

Who do I contact for concerns about leaks, or landscaping after installation?

For concerns regarding leaks, or landscaping post-installation of a new meter, please contact Hydro Vac Excavation at 385-465-4687.

How do I shut off my irrigation?

You will still have a stop and waste valve to shut off your irrigation connection. If your meter is located in the park strip, the stop and waste valve will be, in most cases, in the same location in your yard. If your meter is located on your property, you will have a new stop and waste valve close to the purple meter. In both cases, the stop and waste lid is a small round metal lid that says “irrigation.” 

Where can I provide a comment, or ask a question?

watermeters@lehi-ut.gov

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