FlashVote results show South Salt Lake residents support daytime watering restrictions and tiered rates

South Salt Lake officials presented the results of a FlashVote survey on water conservation to the city council on July 9, saying the survey found majority support for the council’s daytime outdoor watering restriction and for tiered water pricing that charges higher users more.

Joseph Dane, of the city’s communications and public outreach team, told the council the survey had 192 respondents and was designed to be a brief representative sample. He summarized the key takeaways: many respondents reported concern about water availability, the majority supported the city’s daytime watering restriction (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and 74% of respondents said excessive water users should pay more. Dane said about one‑third of respondents (33%) were not familiar with state‑funded rebate programs such as Utah WaterSavers and recommended more education about those programs.

"In total, we had 192 participants that responded in the survey," Joseph Dane said. "The majority of residents are actively trying to do their part to conserve water in some fashion. The majority of residents are in support of some sort of tiered water structure that really makes higher users pay more."

Dane noted South Salt Lake’s water‑service landscape is a patchwork: some residents receive water from the South Salt Lake Water Utility, others from Jordan Valley or Salt Lake City, but the council’s conservation ordinances apply to residents regardless of supplier. He also reminded the council that the daytime watering restriction was adopted last year and was a condition tied to eligibility for a landscape incentive rebate administered by Jordan Valley.

Dane said staff have been distributing educational materials and door hangers; code enforcement handles most complaints through education rather than civil enforcement. Council members asked whether programs exist for apartments and multi‑family properties; Dane said some requirements fall to new‑development standards and noted that indoor conservation measures (toilet retrofits, leak checks) are relevant for multi‑family units as well.

Why it matters: residents’ support for restrictions and tiered pricing provides political cover for continued conservation outreach and potential rate design changes. The city will need to continue public education on rebate programs and coordinate with Jordan Valley for implementation.

Details from the presentation: 192 participants; 46% said they were very or extremely concerned about water; 74% supported charging higher water rates to excessive users; about 33% were unfamiliar with rebate programs. Staff reported targeted education efforts, landscape‑incentive changes that reward water‑efficient yards, and an online form to report water waste.