Rules and regulations for use of water.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.



  • (1) As used in this section:
    • (a) "Designated water service area" means the area defined by a municipality in accordance with the Utah Constitution, Article XI, Section 6, Subsection (1)(c).
    • (b) "Retail customer" means an end user:
      • (i) who receives culinary water directly from a municipality's waterworks system; and
      • (ii) whom the municipality described in Subsection (1)(b)(i) bills for water service.
    • (c)
      • (i) "Waterworks system" means municipally owned collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities for culinary or irrigation water, including any pipe, hydrant, or appurtenance to a pipe or hydrant.
      • (ii) "Waterworks system" does not include a water right or a source of supply such as a well, spring, stream, or share in a mutual irrigation company.
  • (2) A municipality may enact ordinances, rules and regulations for the management and conduct of the waterworks system owned or controlled by it.
  • (3) A municipality that provides water to a retail customer outside of the municipality's boundary shall:
    • (a) create and maintain a map showing:
      • (i) the municipality's designated water service area; and
      • (ii) each area outside the municipality's designated water service area where a retail customer receives water service from the municipality;
    • (b) transmit a copy of the map described in Subsection (3)(a) to the state engineer;
    • (c) if the municipality has more than 500 retail customers, post the map described in Subsection (3)(a) on the municipality's website;
    • (d) define, by ordinance, the area included in the municipality's designated water service area;
    • (e) adopt, by ordinance, any municipality rule or regulation applicable to the municipality's designated water service area or to a retail customer located outside of the municipality's designated water service area; and
    • (f) adopt, by ordinance, reasonable water rates for retail customers in the municipality's designated water service area, in accordance with Section 10-8-22.
  • (4) Within the municipality's designated water service area, a municipality shall:
    • (a) provide service to all retail customers in a manner consistent with principles of equal protection; and
    • (b) apply restrictions on water use to all retail customers in times of anticipated or actual water shortages in a manner consistent with principles of equal protection.
  • (5) Nothing in this section:
    • (a) prohibits a municipality from enacting a service restriction or other restriction:
      • (i) affecting:
        • (A) a localized area; or
        • (B) the municipality's entire designated water service area; and
      • (ii)
        • (A) based on an operational or maintenance need;
        • (B) based on an emergency situation; or
        • (C) to address a health, safety, or general welfare need;
    • (b) expands or diminishes the ability of a municipality to enter into a contract to supply water outside of the municipality's designated water service area; or
    • (c) alters the authorities or definitions described in Title 19, Chapter 4, Safe Drinking Water Act.
  • (6) A municipality may not sell or convey an interest, in part or in whole, of the municipality's waterworks system, except to a public entity as defined in Section 73-1-4.




Download our app to see the most-to-date content.