A recent short survey of South Salt Lake residents shows that the majority of them are concerned about water conservation.

South Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District all provide culinary water to local residents depending on where they live so the survey focused more on water conservation, Communications Director Joseph Dane told city leaders on July 9.

“When it comes to water conservation and the ordinances that the council may pass, that affects all of our residents, regardless of where they get their water from,” he said.

The four-question survey found a majority of residents “are actively trying to do their part to conserve water in some fashion,” Dane said.

Most of the 192 respondents support an ordinance that the council passed last year which prohibits outdoor watering during daytime hours. Passing this ordinance ensured South Salt Lake residents could qualify for a Jordan Valley Water Conservation District landscape incentive program.

“This [survey] was an opportunity to remind them that this is in place, and they should not be watering during the daytime,” Dane said.

One thing the survey found was that South Salt Lake officials need to do more to educate residents about what water rebate programs are available to them, he said.

These include cash incentives for water-smart landscaping, toilet replacement and smart sprinkler controller installation offered through Utah Water Savers. (Details are available at www.utahwatersavers.com).

About a third of respondents were not aware of those programs, he said.

“We really need to do a better job, not just the city but Jordan Valley and I think all cities in the state, of really educating residents around the state about the money provided by the state to help conserve water whether that be through toilet replacement or bigger impact landscape incentives by getting rid of grass,” he said. “It's actually state money that funnels through to the various water districts. We are a member agency of Jordan Valley. So that's where we push people to take advantage of Utah Water Savers.”

Most respondents, 74%, said excessive water users should pay more for that water. Fifty-six percent felt that the city should increase water rates a little bit each year to minimize large fee impacts on customers. Those who conserve water and keep their usage down should pay less, 59% said.

The survey also asked participants to provide feedback.

In response to one participant’s suggestion that homes that have high water usage not be considered for the city’s Beautiful Yard award program, Dane responded that last year South Salt Lake changed the program to focus on water efficient landscapes and awarded three homeowners a $500 gift card for their water-wise landscape.

“It was one of our most successful beautiful yard awards,” he said. “We're doing that again this year. I believe we are the only municipality that's doing that.  It's a fun alternative and flip on the beautiful yard award which we have been doing for many years.” 

South Salt Lake Cit utilizes FlashVote survey software to periodically survey residents on different issues to provide feedback to the city council, Dane said.