Herriman City has implemented new water efficiency standards for all new residential and commercial developments to manage a population projected to double by 2040. The city became the first member agency of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District to adopt these standards in December 2020, establishing strict limits on turfgrass and irrigation requirements.
Strict New Landscape Standards
As part of a contract renegotiation with the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Herriman City adopted the new Water Efficiency Standards in December 2020. These standards were originally developed by the district beginning in 2019 to assist member agencies in utilizing water more efficiently during new developments. Under the current rules, Herriman City receives 65% of its total water supply from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
Mandatory Landscape Requirements
The efficiency standards mandate specific criteria for landscapes in new commercial and residential projects to ensure significantly lower water use than traditional landscaping. To maintain compliance, developers must submit detailed landscape plans for review that include a table identifying lot size, impervious area, and landscape areas. These plans must list total sod area, which is restricted to a maximum of 35% for residential lots and 20% for commercial developments.
Compliance and Oversight
To ensure the standards are met, Herriman City implemented a formal plan review and inspection process. This process requires that all new landscapes undergo an inspection after installation to verify that the approved water efficiency plans were followed. To manage these requirements, the city hired a full-time conservation staff member to oversee compliance across the municipality.
Developer and Cost Considerations
The city previously intended to maintain a 75% living plant cover requirement, but officials reduced that standard to 50% to align with the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District requirements. This reduction was intended to eliminate confusion, address concerns regarding developer costs, and further decrease water consumption. Since the implementation, Herriman City has approved several residential and commercial projects that adhere to the new standards.
Implementation Challenges
While developers have generally reacted positively to the standards, the city has noted implementation challenges. Some developers have reported that installing water-efficient landscapes is more expensive than installing traditional landscapes. Additionally, developers of partially built-out neighborhoods have expressed concerns regarding landscape inconsistency, noting that homes built before the standards were adopted feature traditional styles, while newer homes must follow the new water-efficient requirements.
Statewide Influence
The success of Herriman City's model has led other agencies to seek guidance. The city has been approached by other member agencies of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District for advice on adopting the standards, as well as by various cities across Utah that are developing their own local requirements. Furthermore, Herriman City is considering how to integrate requirements of S.B. 110, a bill passed by the state legislature in 2022 that requires water use and preservation elements to be included in a city's General Plan.
Statewide Conservation Efforts: Slow the Flow
In addition to local municipal rules, the state utilizes the "Slow the Flow" campaign to provide drought resources. The campaign maintains a permanent internet presence at slowtheflow.org, which acts as a central resource for individuals and communities throughout Utah. The platform provides access to tools such as the Division of Water Resource's Weekly Lawn Watering Guide, the Water Check program, and various water-wise plant lists.
While local cities manage development standards, the Utah Division of Water Resources maintains statewide conservation efforts through the "Slow the Flow" campaign. This initiative began in the early 2000s when Governor Mike Leavitt assembled a conservation team including the Division of Water Resources and the state's five largest water conservancy districts to create the first state-wide water conservation consumer messaging campaign.
