Secondary Water Metering: What Midway Owners Should Know

Wondering how Utah’s secondary water metering rule might affect your Midway property and your monthly bills? If you irrigate a lawn or landscape with pressurized secondary water, you are not alone in your questions. You want clear, local guidance so you can budget, plan yard projects, and avoid surprises. This guide explains the statewide requirement, what it means for Midway homeowners, and the simple steps you can take now to stay ahead. Let’s dive in.

Secondary water in Midway

Secondary water refers to non‑potable irrigation water delivered through a pressurized system that is separate from your indoor culinary water. In many Utah neighborhoods, this is the water used for lawns, garden beds, and common areas.

If your property has a dedicated irrigation connection that is not your indoor tap water, you likely have pressurized secondary service. Some homes draw from HOA‑managed laterals or shared systems. If you are unsure, check your past bills, ask your HOA, or call your water provider.

Utah’s 2030 metering requirement

Utah requires all pressurized secondary connections to be metered by January 1, 2030. The goal is to measure outdoor use, support conservation, detect leaks, and allow billing that reflects actual consumption.

Local providers and cities will decide how to implement the program in their service areas. That means installation schedules, meter models, and billing policies can vary. The state deadline is firm, but timelines to reach your street or subdivision may be phased.

What changes for homeowners

Metering does two important things for you and your community:

• It shows how much water you actually use outdoors, which helps you adjust irrigation and spot leaks.
• It enables billing based on usage rather than flat or blanket fees, which many homeowners view as more equitable.

Some households may see bills rise if they use more than average. Others may save money if they already irrigate efficiently. The effect depends on your use and the rate design your provider adopts.

How your bill could be structured

Local providers can choose from several billing models once meters are in place. Common options include:

• Volumetric rates where you pay per unit of water used.
• Tiered rates where costs increase at higher use levels.
• Seasonal rates that reflect irrigation season demand.
• A fixed monthly charge plus a usage component.

If you currently pay a flat fee, metering can change your monthly cost. Efficient irrigation and quick leak repairs become more valuable under a usage‑based system.

Who installs and who pays

Implementation details are set locally. In some areas, providers install meters and recover costs through future rates. In others, property owners may be responsible for installation, or there may be a hybrid approach.

Because policies differ, the most important step is to contact your water provider to confirm: who will schedule installation, who pays for what, and when work is planned for your neighborhood.

Meter types you might see

Pressurized secondary systems can use several meter technologies:

• Mechanical meters that physically register flow.
• Ultrasonic meters that measure velocity with no moving parts.
• Smart meters that allow remote reading and usage alerts.

Smart meters can provide near real‑time data, which makes it easier to tune your irrigation schedule and catch breaks or stuck valves. They cost more upfront, but many providers prefer them for long‑term efficiency.

Installation basics

A typical installation places the meter at your secondary service line, often near the property boundary or an existing valve box. Installers will consider:

• Proper meter sizing for your irrigation system.
• Backflow protection where required by code.
• Freeze protection and access for reading and maintenance.

You may be asked to clear access to the service location, mark private irrigation controls, or provide HOA contact details if your system is shared.

HOAs and shared laterals

Shared systems add complexity. If one lateral serves several homes, your provider may require:

• A master meter with internal sub‑metering for each home.
• Individual meters at each property tied to the shared lateral.
• An allocation formula for internal billing if sub‑metering is not feasible.

If you live in an HOA, review your governing documents to see who is responsible for irrigation infrastructure, common‑area watering, and assessments tied to water use. Expect new or updated policies once metering begins.

Data, privacy, and usage insights

Metering programs collect water‑use data to support operations and billing. Providers set policies for data access and retention. Many offer customer portals where you can view daily or hourly use, set leak alerts, or compare seasonal trends.

If you have privacy questions, ask your provider how they protect customer data and what information is visible to you. Clear policies are part of most modern metering programs.

Simple steps to prepare now

You can get meter‑ready in a weekend. Here is a quick checklist:

• Confirm your service type. Verify you have pressurized secondary service and identify the provider that serves your address.
• Map your system. Note the location of your irrigation valve box, backflow device, and any existing boxes that might house a future meter.
• Review your bills. Understand today’s charges for secondary water so you can compare when billing changes.
• Check for leaks. Run each irrigation zone and look for wet spots, overspray, or continuous flow at the street. Fix issues before metering starts.
• Update your controller. Match runtimes to plant needs and season. Consider a weather‑based smart controller if allowed by your provider.
• Talk to your HOA. If your neighborhood has shared irrigation, ask about the metering plan and how costs will be allocated.

Budgeting for possible costs

Until your provider announces its policy, treat cost planning as a range. Some communities cover installation through system budgets and future rates. Others ask owners to fund part of the work. Either way, preparing your site, addressing leaks, and modernizing your irrigation controller can lower your long‑term costs under usage‑based billing.

Landscaping and conservation benefits

Meters make it easier to see the impact of small changes. Simple upgrades often deliver quick savings:

• Swap spray heads for rotary nozzles where appropriate.
• Add mulch around trees and beds to reduce evaporation.
• Water early morning to reduce wind and loss to heat.
• Convert small turf strips to native or low‑water plants.

With metering, you can measure these improvements. That feedback loop helps you keep a healthy landscape while using less water.

Buying or selling a Midway home

If you plan to buy or sell in Midway before 2030, it helps to clarify how secondary water service is set up at the property. Consider these discussion points during due diligence:

• Service type and provider. Confirm the property has pressurized secondary service and identify the provider.
• Meter status. Ask if a meter is installed, scheduled, or still pending. Note any owner responsibilities.
• HOA policies. For shared systems, request the HOA’s plan for metering and future assessments.
• Irrigation condition. Inspect for leaks, broken heads, or outdated controllers that could affect usage.

Clear answers make it easier to price, negotiate, and budget after closing.

Where to follow local updates

Implementation is local. To stay current on Midway’s plan, keep an eye on:

• Midway City public works and water announcements for schedules, ordinances, and contact points.
• Wasatch County notices for county‑level coordination and public meetings.
• Your secondary water provider for installation timelines, meter specifications, and billing changes.
• HOA newsletters and neighborhood boards for shared‑system updates.

Subscribe to city and county e‑notifications, attend public workshops, and call your provider with address‑specific questions.

Bottom line for Midway owners

Utah’s metering requirement for pressurized secondary water is coming by January 1, 2030. For you, that likely means a new meter, a future shift to usage‑based billing, and better tools to manage outdoor water. Take a few simple steps now to prepare your property, confirm your provider’s plan, and budget for any changes. You will be ready when your street is scheduled.

If you are planning a move or want neighborhood‑specific guidance as you prepare your home for sale, let’s talk. Our team tracks local utility changes so your plans stay on time and on budget. Connect with the local team at Unknown Company to start a conversation, explore properties, or get tailored seller guidance. Start Your Park City Search.

FAQs

What is secondary water metering in Utah?

• It is the requirement to install meters on pressurized secondary irrigation connections so providers can measure outdoor use, support conservation, and bill based on consumption.

What is the deadline for Midway homeowners?

• The statewide compliance deadline is January 1, 2030 for pressurized secondary connections, with local schedules set by providers.

Will my bill go up once my secondary water is metered?

• It depends on your usage and the rate structure your provider adopts. High use may cost more than a flat fee, while efficient users could pay less.

Who pays for meter installation in Midway?

• Cost responsibility is decided locally. Your provider will outline whether it funds installation, shares costs, or requires owner participation.

How will HOAs and shared laterals be handled?

• Providers may use master meters with sub‑metering, individual meters at each home, or allocation formulas. Your HOA should publish its plan and billing method.

Will metering affect my indoor culinary water service?

• No. Secondary systems are separate from culinary water. Metering secondary service does not change indoor supply, though it can change overall water costs.

What can I do now to prepare my property?

• Confirm your provider, check for leaks, tune your irrigation schedule, clear access to your service line, and review HOA documents if your system is shared.