Council approves ordinance changing culinary water fees; residential consumption increase delayed to January

The South Salt Lake City Council approved an ordinance amending sections of the municipal code to modify culinary water utility fees; changes to nonresidential consumption charges and the minimum monthly fee take effect July 1, while the residential consumption charge will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The ordinance implements rate changes recommended in a water rate study and staggers residential increases to provide notice to households and businesses.

City staff member Craig presented the ordinance and said it modifies three components identified in the water rate study: the culinary water minimum monthly fee, the residential consumption charge and the nonresidential consumption charge. Craig said the nonresidential consumption charge and monthly minimum will be effective in July, but the residential consumption charge change would not take effect until Jan. 1 of the coming year.

During council questions Clarissa asked whether businesses would be notified; Craig said there will be notice and added the city will release a new app called Ion Water on July 1 to help customers monitor consumption. Council members discussed typical notice processes for rate changes.

Council voted by roll call to adopt the ordinance; the motion passed. One council member framed the change as responsible long-term planning for essential infrastructure, saying it is preferable to plan for higher costs than to defer maintenance and risk larger expenses later.

What's next: The ordinance takes effect July 1 for nonresidential and the minimum monthly fee; residential consumption changes begin Jan. 1, 2026. The city will issue customer notifications and launch the Ion Water app to help customers monitor usage.