If you are buying a home in Utah, you may hear the term secondary water for the first time. Many homes along the Wasatch Front have two separate water systems. Culinary water is treated drinking water for the house. Secondary water, also called pressurised irrigation, is untreated water piped to the yard for lawns, gardens and trees.
How it works
Secondary water usually comes from canals, reservoirs or wells and is delivered by a local irrigation company or water district through its own pipes. A home with secondary water has separate outdoor connections and a sprinkler system tied to that supply. Because the water is not treated, it is not for drinking, cooking or filling a pool meant for swimming, and it is often marked with purple pipes or valve covers.
Secondary water runs in the growing season and is shut off over winter. The exact start and end dates are set by each provider and can change with the year's water supply. In dry years, providers may limit watering days or shut off early.
What it costs
Secondary water is billed separately from culinary water. Depending on the provider, it may be a flat fee, a charge based on lot size, a metered charge for what you use, or an assessment on the property tax bill. Utah has been moving toward metering secondary water so people can see how much they use, and many providers now meter it.
Questions to ask before you buy
Does the home have secondary water, and who provides it?
How is it billed, and what did it cost last year?
Are there shares in an irrigation company that go with the property, and do they transfer to you?
Is the sprinkler system on secondary or culinary water?
When does the season start and end in this area?
Water shares are a real piece of property in Utah, and how they transfer can be a detail in the purchase contract. Your title company and agent can help confirm what comes with the home.
Caring for the system
Each autumn the sprinkler lines should be blown out with compressed air before freezing weather, so water left in the pipes does not freeze and crack them. In spring, the system is turned back on once the provider starts delivering water. Many homeowners hire a landscaper for both.
Using water well
Utah is one of the driest states in the country, and many cities offer rebates or programmes for water-wise landscaping, smart sprinkler controllers or replacing lawn with plants suited to the climate. Your city or water district can tell you what is available.
If you would like help understanding the water setup on a home you are considering, contact The Luxury Agency. We are glad to help you sort it out before you sign.
