Wondering how to get the most from your South Jordan secondary water without hassles or surprises? If you own a yard here, you juggle turn-on dates, backflow tests, and sprinkler tweaks every season. With a little know-how, you can water efficiently, stay compliant, and avoid costly repairs. This quick guide walks you through how secondary water works locally, what to check each season, and what to look for when buying or selling. Let’s dive in.
What secondary water is in South Jordan
Secondary water is a non-potable irrigation supply used for landscape watering. It is not treated to drinking standards, so you should never connect it to indoor plumbing or use it for cooking or drinking. You can verify local system details through the Utah Division of Water Rights’ registry for South Jordan’s irrigation system here.
Much of the west side of the valley is served by historic canals and municipal pressurized mains. The South Jordan Canal is part of that history and still influences how water moves through the city today. For context on the canal system, see the South Jordan Canal overview.
Your home’s typical setup
Key components to find
- Dedicated irrigation meter. Many pressurized secondary connections have a separate meter to track irrigation use. Knowing if you have one helps with billing and locating your main shutoff.
- Curb stop or stop-and-waste valve. This shutoff is usually near the street and is your main isolation point for winterization or emergencies.
- Backflow prevention assembly (BPA). Devices like PVB, DCVA, or RPZ prevent irrigation water from flowing back toward potable lines. Learn the basics of device types in this backflow prevention guide.
- Zone valves and controller. These run your irrigation zones and operate the same whether the source is culinary or secondary.
Pressurized vs. gravity service
- Gravity systems. Older areas may receive low-pressure water via ditches or canals, sometimes on schedules rather than on-demand.
- Pressurized systems. These behave more like a standard municipal service, often with a testable backflow device and, increasingly, a dedicated irrigation meter. South Jordan has emphasized metering pressurized connections to support conservation, as covered by the South Jordan Journal.
Seasonal calendar
Spring start-up checklist
- Locate the irrigation meter, curb stop, and backflow assembly. Note any inspection tags or test dates.
- Reinstall and orient the backflow preventer correctly if it was removed for winter. Follow device-specific instructions.
- Open the curb stop slowly, then run each zone briefly to flush debris. Replace clogged or broken heads.
- Check your bill or online portal for irrigation meter data if your home has a pressurized meter.
Mid-season tuning and conservation
- Secondary water can carry more sediment than culinary water. Clean filters and flush valves periodically to keep pressure up.
- Water early morning or evening and aim for deep, infrequent cycles to reduce evaporation.
- Follow any time-of-day or day-of-week restrictions during shortage periods. Valley conservation plans often outline these limits; see a regional framework example in this water conservation plan.
Fall winterization basics
- Shut off the irrigation supply at the curb stop or main irrigation shutoff. Open low-point drains if present.
- Relieve pressure by briefly running zones from the controller.
- Protect the backflow device per manufacturer guidance. Some homeowners remove above-ground devices and store them indoors.
Rules, testing and metering
Backflow testing basics
Utah’s adopted plumbing codes require testable backflow assemblies to be tested at installation, after repairs, and at least annually. Property owners arrange and pay for these tests, and results are typically submitted to the city. Review Utah’s requirements in the state bulletin on backflow testing here.
Metering and billing trends
South Jordan has been installing meters on pressurized secondary services to improve measurement and conservation awareness. The state registry for South Jordan’s irrigation system also notes meter status updates in recent years, which you can view here. Statewide, metering has become a priority as leaders work to better measure secondary use during drought, as reported by the Utah Investigative Journalism Project.
Permits and changes
Any modification that affects cross-connections or pressure—like adding a dual-source Y-valve, changing a backflow device, or installing a booster pump—typically requires permits or city coordination. Municipal programs explain why certified devices and reporting matter; see an example city program here.
Quick troubleshooting
- Low pressure at sprinkler heads. Likely debris in zone valves or backflow, partially closed valves, or an incorrectly oriented device. Many DIY issues trace back to a mis-set backflow assembly. See common homeowner experiences in this discussion of low-pressure causes here.
- Water flowing in gutters during irrigation runs. Canal deliveries and mainline operations can look like excess flow. If it seems continuous or like a leak, report it to the city.
Buyer and seller checklist
- Service type. Confirm whether the property has pressurized secondary with a dedicated meter or relies on gravity/canal delivery. You can reference South Jordan’s irrigation system record here.
- Shutoff location. Identify the curb stop or irrigation shutoff and ensure it can be accessed.
- Backflow records. Ask for the most recent test report, tester certification, and any repair invoices. See example municipal expectations here.
- Dual-source setups. If there is a selector or Y-valve for culinary and secondary, request documentation and verify it meets current code.
- Notices. Ask the city water office about any outstanding notices or conservation enforcement tied to the address.
Local contacts and resources
- South Jordan City Public Works / Water Department. Call for current turn-on and shut-off dates, meter status, and local testing submissions.
- Utah Division of Water Rights. Verify South Jordan’s irrigation system details and ownership registry here.
- Utah Administrative Code. Review the adopted rules for backflow testing and cross-connection control here.
If you want a yard that looks great and a smooth sale or purchase, understanding your secondary water is a smart move. For local guidance on how irrigation features and compliance can impact value, reach out to Move Utah Real Estate for personalized advice.
FAQs
When does South Jordan secondary water usually run?
- Most years the window is roughly May through October, with exact start and stop dates set by the city and system operations.
Can you drink South Jordan’s secondary water or use it indoors?
- No—secondary water is non-potable and must remain separate from indoor plumbing to protect health and comply with code.
Do you have to test your backflow preventer every year in South Jordan?
- Yes—testable backflow assemblies must be tested at installation, after repair, and at least annually under Utah’s adopted rules.
How do you find your irrigation meter and shutoff?
- Look for a dedicated irrigation meter box and a curb stop near the street; your water bill or the city water office can confirm meter status for your address.
What should you check first if your sprinklers have low pressure on secondary water?
- Verify the main valves are fully open, then check for debris in zone valves or the backflow assembly and confirm the device is oriented correctly before calling a pro.
