Cedar Hills residents must winterize their sprinkler systems before the city's projected shutoff of pressurized irrigation water on Thursday, Oct. 15, according to a report published Oct. 12.
The city instructed homeowners to leave individual pressurized irrigation shut-off valves in the open position to allow the system to drain properly once the water supply is cut.
Residents whose sprinkler systems continue to run after Tuesday, Oct. 20, should contact the city. Cedar Hills stated it will investigate any system still in service after that date for a possible cross connection, which occurs if an irrigation line is tied into a home's culinary water supply.
The city also issued a reminder that tampering with, opening, or obstructing any city meters, meter boxes, or meter cans, including irrigation meters, is a violation of city code. All meter cans and boxes must remain visible and accessible and must be kept clear of debris and landscaping.
The planned shutoff follows a decision by the Cedar Hills City Council to approve rate increases for pressurized irrigation water usage that exceeds 150% of a resident's allotment. The council cited drought conditions as the reason for the increase. These higher rates appeared on May utility bills, which residents received in June.
Before the Oct. 15 shutoff, residents should leave their pressurized irrigation shut-off valves open to facilitate drainage and clear any debris or landscaping from meter boxes. After Oct. 20, anyone with a system that is still running should report it to the city.
A flood watch covering much of the Wasatch Front remains in effect through late Monday afternoon. This watch keeps flash flooding a threat for Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, and Lehi due to saturated soils from recent weekend storms.
