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Herriman officials explain water-hardness swings after Jordan Valley sourcing and rate changes
Summary
After a listener reported household water hardness rising from 24 to 39 grains per gallon, Herriman officials explained that seasonal blending of local groundwater and Jordan Valley Water supplies — a change tied to last year's rate decision — causes hardness to fluctuate and that hardness should fall again in the off-peak season.
John LaFollette, communications manager for Herriman City, and Mayor Palmer addressed a listener's email that reported a jump in household water hardness and asked whether the city misled residents about water softness tied to a rate increase.
A listener identified as Spencer wrote that his household water went "from 24 grains per gallon over the winter to a whopping 39 grains per gallon now," and called the change “deceptive.” LaFollette read the email and Mayor Palmer explained the city's approach: Herriman blends very hard local groundwater with purchased Jordan Valley water. The city increased the share of Jordan Valley water in non-peak (off-peak) months as part of a water-rate adjustment approved last year to reduce off-peak hardness for many residents, but during peak irrigation season the system reintroduces more local supply because of demand and cost considerations.
Mayor Palmer and LaFollette said the seasonal change in sourcing explains the hardness swing: "This last year, the city council decided to... use Jordan Valley water basically exclusively during the non peak seasons," LaFollette said, which reduced hardness in winter months; when the city returns to blended sourcing in peak season, hardness rises again. The hosts emphasized that Jordan Valley water is generally less hard but more expensive, and that the rate increase covered some of the increased off-peak purchase costs. They said any proposed Jordan Valley property-tax component would require that agency's truth-in-taxation procedures and that Herriman's influence over Jordan Valley's decisions is limited.
What residents should know: Officials said the hardness spike is a predictable result of blending different sources and seasonal demand patterns; they advised residents to check Jordan Valley's website for details of any proposed tax or fee changes and said the city will try to provide more specifics as the regional water board finalizes budgets.
No change in local policy or immediate rate adjustment was announced on the podcast.
