Trusted Sprinkler Experts in Salem, UT

What Homeowners Need to Know About Irrigation Systems in Salem

• Local Soil and Water Conditions

  Soils in Salem are generally fine-textured and clay-rich. The area lies in the Utah Valley where lower elevation sites often have clay loam or silt loam soils with high clay content. High clay content means slow drainage and a tendency for compaction – water infiltrates slowly and can puddle or run off if applied too quickly. In Salem, secondary water (pressurized irrigation) is often available for watering lawns and landscapes, which has lower rates than culinary water.

• Irrigation Water Information

  As of the latest fee schedule, secondary water connections have a year-round base fee (to spread out costs) plus usage fees when water is flowing. For a typical 1″ irrigation connection, the base fee is about $30.43 per month. The usage rate is very affordable for lower amounts – roughly $0.51 per 1,000 gallons for the first 20,000 gallons used in a season. Higher volumes have tiered costs (about $1.06 per 1,000 gallons after 20k, and up to $2.22 per 1,000 gallons for very high use above 80k gallons). These low secondary rates make it much cheaper to water lawns with secondary water than with culinary water. If a home does not have secondary water and must irrigate with culinary water, the rate structure is a bit different – roughly $1.22 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000 gallons, with tiered increases for larger volumes.

• When to Turn Sprinklers On and Off

  Each year the secondary water supply is turned off in the fall to prevent damage and because water from canals runs out. Typically the city plans to shut down pressurized irrigation around mid-October – often about October 15th is the target date, though the exact timing can depend on when the water source (the High Line Canal) stops delivering water and how much is left in the city’s storage ponds. The exact activation date can vary year to year, but mid-April is common in Utah for pressurized irrigation start-up.

• Watering Schedule Regulations

  It is prohibited to water lawns or landscapes during the heat of the day, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM by city ordinance. There are no specific days that you can or cannot water. Being a good steward of water not only avoids trouble but saves you money and helps the community meet conservation goals (Salem City has targets to reduce per-capita water use by around 19% by 2030).

• Rebates & Incentives for Conservation

  Salem City partners with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) and promotes other statewide programs. For example, CUWCD offers a Smart Irrigation Controller rebate (recently increased to about $100) for installing an eligible WaterSense smart sprinkler timer, which is a service we offer! The city also offers up to $1,000 in rebates for residents switching to xeriscaping (landscapes that don't use much water).

• Backflow Prevention Rules

  Salem City follows state plumbing and health codes that require backflow prevention on any culinary (drinking) water lines that feed sprinklers or could potentially cross-connect with non-potable water. In simple terms, if your sprinkler system is connected to the city’s drinking water supply (which is uncommon in Salem sprinkler systems, so you usually don't need one), you must have an approved backflow preventer to stop water from flowing backward and contaminating the public water system.