HomeMy WebLinkAbout008 of 2026 - Text Amendments for Daily Water Use RegulationsSALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. of 2026
(Amending the text of Title 17 of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to limits on daily water use
for new commercial, industrial, and institutional developments)
An ordinance amending Title 17 of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to limits on daily
water usage for new commercial, industrial, and institutional developments.
WHEREAS, the city provides drinking water to nearly 386,000 people and has seen
significant commercial, industrial and institutional development in the past 10 years;
WHEREAS, current snowpack conditions are at only 60% of the median for this point in
the season;
WHEREAS, current data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that
statewide snowpack is at the worst levels ever recorded since data has been collected;
WHEREAS, the city's ability to provide water service is directly impacted by such
snowpack conditions;
WHEREAS, decreased snowpack also decreases the amount of water reaching the Great
Salt Lake and exposed lakebed poses risks to human health through dust inhalation and exposure
to dust -borne contaminants such as heavy metals;
WHEREAS, immediate steps are appropriate to limit use of the city's water resources by
water consumers that would consume very large quantities of water that would exacerbate the
pressures on the city's water resources and the Great Salt Lake system;
WHEREAS, this measure is intended to place reasonable limits on new development or
enlargements to existing development to protect and preserve the availability of the city to
provide water to its current customers and to future development in the city's water service area
that will promote public health, safety and general welfare;
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council has determined that the following ordinance
promotes the health, safety, and public welfare of the citizens of the city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that adopting this ordinance is in the city's
best interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending Subsection 17.16.010.0 of the Salt Lake Citv Code. That
Subsection 17.16.010.0 of the Salt Lake City Code (Public Services: Culinary Water System:
Furnishing of Water; Application Required), is hereby amended as follows:
C. The City will deny water service in the City's designated water service area and areas
where the City is providing water under surplus water sales agreements under the following
conditions:
1. New development: Any new non-residential development that consumes or uses more
than an annual average of two hundred thousand (200,000) gallons of potable water per day
within the City's designated water service area and under circumstances where the City is
providing water under a surplus water sales agreement. The use and consumption limit is based
on the total use from all water meters that serve the new development.
2. Expansions of Existing Uses: Any non-residential development that expands to an extent
that increases its daily potable water consumption or use to exceed an annual average of two
hundred thousand (200,000) gallons of potable water per day. Notwithstanding the provisions of
the City Code, an existing water customer that currently exceeds the water use threshold of two
hundred thousand (200,000) gallons of potable water per day will not receive water service from
the City if the expansion will result in a net increase in water consumption or use. The use and
consumption limit is based on the total use from all water meters that serve the water customer.
3. The Director of the Department of Public Utilities may also deny water service to a new
or existing water customer for water use that exceeds an average of two hundred thousand
(200,000) gallons of potable water per day over less than a year, if the proposed use would
exceed the anticipated water availably for a particular location within the City's designated water
service area or within areas where the City is providing water under surplus water sales
agreements.
4. Water Use Report Required: A new or existing water customer shall certify the
anticipated daily water use of a proposed development or expansion of existing use in a manner
satisfactory to the Department of Public Utilities. The Department of Public Utilities may require
an anticipated daily water use report of any water customer for a new use or expansion of an
existing use.
5. Exemption: Agricultural, schools, government owned or operated facilities that primarily
provide social services, places of worship, and hospitals.
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after it has
been published in accordance with Utah Code § 10-3-711 and recorded in accordance with Utah
Code § 10-3-713.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this day of lG rc
2026.
M-6j6ndro Puy, Council Chair
ATTEST:
Xh�Re s, City Recorder
Transmitted to Mayor on ��� y. -AOA-6
Mayor's Action: Approved. Veto; d.
(�n Me enhall, Mayor
Zelh Re s, tty Recorder
Bill No. of 2026.
Published: T�gJ�� f�
Ordinance Amen ine Daily ater Cap
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney's Office
Date: March 23.2026
By:
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City) Attornev