About

Responsible investment in the renewal and replacement of our water and wastewater systems is essential in order for Salt Lake City Public Utilities to maintain its commitment to safeguarding public health, preserving our natural environment, and providing infrastructure in support of Salt Lake City’s economic vitality.

• Protect Public Health and Our Environment

  • Protect Water Resources – Water is a critical resource that Salt Lake City feels strongly about protecting. Returning high quality treated water to our local waterways and delivering the purest drinking water possible is what residents trust us to do. Currently, we have
    been challenged by our regulators to meet new wastewater treatment standards by 2025. To meet this goal, we must begin investing toward this now.
  • Safeguard public and environmental health by keeping our systems well-maintained – In recent years, a number of cities in the country have experienced
    environmental and public health consequences when they haven’t been able to keep their infrastructure properly updated and maintained. Salt Lake City is investing to ensure our continued high standards in this regard by providing a well-planned series of repair, upgrade and replacement projects for the sewer collections and drinking water systems.

• Economic Prosperity

  • Choose smart water stewardship policies – Maintain excellent stewardship of water resources directly correlates to the economic prosperity of any city. The Salt Lake Valley wouldn’t be what we enjoy today if we did not proactively manage our water supply and water quality.
  • Support Salt Lake City’s wise growth strategy – Investing in water and wastewater infrastructure provides developing areas of our city with essential foundations for further growth and prosperity.

• Responsible Investment

  • Prioritize projects for maximum return on investment – we conduct thorough analysis to identify water system components that are in the most need of upgrading and provide the most significant water-quality benefits for our customers.
  • Invest for Salt Lake City’s future – generations before today invested in water infrastructure that has served us well for 5-decades. Now, we must do the same for our children and grandchildren.
  • Maintain and upgrade – just like our homes and vehicles, our water infrastructure lasts longer and operates more cost-effectively when maintained. That’s why we are careful stewards of our systems, upgrading and maintaining regularly has helped key components last for years beyond what is normally expected.

• Implementation with Accountability

  • Communicate with those we serve – Commitment to transparency and good communication in all we do.
  • Provide outreach about improvements and projects – Providing timely and accurate information for our customers on all of our projects at www.slcwaterrenew.com
  • Engage with our community – Working closely with our customers and community as we move into the future by prioritizing public engagement as a key part of all large projects (e.g. new wastewater treatment facility and 500 South Pipeline).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This year and in the coming years our rates are scheduled to increase. We hope the information below will help in explaining more about those needed adjustments.

Rate Changes

• What do my utility payments do for me?
  Value for Service

  Public Utilities works hard to ensure that your services are delivered for rates that are reasonable and fair. Every year we compare our rates to 15 comparably-sized local cities. Even after proposed increases in 2017-2018, rates will remain amongst the lowest.

  Protect Water Resources

  SLCPU is committed to protecting our water resources. Your rates pay directly into continuing those efforts and making additional strides toward keeping this commitment. Public Utilities is a self-sustaining fund, meaning that your water rates go directly to the water system and sewer rates directly to maintaining and improving sewer services. These rates do not go to the City general fund.

  Improvements to Our System

  Collections (the system of pipelines and infrastructure that collect and deliver wastewater for treatment)

  Public Utilities has carefully reviewed the overall system over the last year. Public Utilities has completed a West Side Sewer Master Plan which identifies new projects, strategic capacity upgrades and replacements of areas of the system throughout the City. In coming years, the plan lays out over $200 million in needed improvement projects. This year SLCPU will construct $40 million dollars in key projects, including:

  • 500 South Pipeline between 1000 W. and Orange Street
  • New 500 South Pump Station
  • Gladiola Street Water Valves and Pipeline Improvement
  • Many more projects throughout the year that will make the system work better and help to address odor control as well.

  Treatment (the facilities needed to treat wastewater and return it to our rivers and streams)

  Careful thought and planning has gone into deciding the next steps toward addressing the needs at the SLC wastewater treatment facility. It is due for replacement and new regulations also require changes to how the wastewater is treated. Between now and 2025, this will be completed at a total cost of about $300 million. This year we are investing $30 million in:

  • Replacement of the Influent Screening Facility (the first stop in treatment where the largest particles are removed)
  • Implementation of the early phases of the plan to fully replace this facility by 2025
  • Continued community involvement in the planning of the new facilities

  Economic Development

  Public Utilities is plays an important role in preparing areas of our City for development. Constructing essential infrastructure like sewer and water lines creates the foundation needed for new areas of our City to grow.

  This year, many have asked if this means we are paying for the prison that is being relocated to the area. While that project is still in its planning phases - the goal has always been for the State to cover the prison’s portion of the Northwest Quadrant development and for Salt Lake City to cover the portions that bring benefit to our residents.

• What are the new rates?

  In 2017-2018, for the average SLC household this will mean an approximate monthly increase of $1.54 for water and $4.88 for sewer. In order to meet our regulatory responsibilities and to complete a number of important larger projects we expect to increase rates each year over the next several years, likely doubling by 2021.

  It is important to note that both utilities have a rate structure based on use. As such, rates will vary depending on the customer type.

  Customers will be notified directly of the exact rate adjustments upon City Council approval and prior to rates going into effect in July 2017.

  Click here to view more detail about current and proposed water rates: Current and Proposed Water Rates

  Click here to view more details about current and proposed sewer rates: Current and Proposed Sewer Rates

• How can I learn more and ask questions?

  Phone 801.483.6900

  Email slcpu@slcgov.com

  Web www.slcgov.com/utilities/

• How can I provide input about planned rate adjustments?

  The City Council is holding several public hearings on the proposed budget in May and the beginning of June during Council meetings. Those hearings will be held:

  May 16, 7pm

  May 23, 7pm

  June 6, 7pm

• How are rates determined?

  Our ratepayers place their trust in us to deliver these important services and we take that responsibility very seriously.

  Determining appropriate rates is an ongoing and complex process but is driven by the following factors:

  • Costs to deliver the services - staff, water treatment, etc.
  • Costs to maintain and improve the system responsibly
  • Anticipating Upcoming Needs - to avoid one large increase in one year, smaller, incremental increases are preferred

  To ensure we are making the very best financial decisions possible, a rate study will be conducted in 2017 to assess this and help to guide future rate adjustments.

• Why do rates need to be adjusted now?
  • Due to the fast paced growth in Salt Lake City, key areas of our current sewer collection system are at capacity
  • Our city wastewater treatment facility has served our community well since 1966 and is now due for a full replacement.
  • Salt Lake City is required to meet new treatment regulations for reducing certain potential pollutants (nutrients such as phosphorus) from our treated wastewater before it is returned to local rivers and streams. The City must meet these requirements by 2025, which means we must begin investing toward this now.
• What if I need assistance with my bill?

  Public Utilities partners with the Salvation Army to implement its Water Assist Program. Leak abatements and budget billing may also be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. In addition, Public Utilities offers free checks on outdoor irrigation systems to increase efficiency and conservation through the Water Check Program.

  Read more here: www.slcgov.com/utilities/public-utilities-billing