Utah § 73-10-32.5 - Culinary water pricing structure.
Full text of Utah Utah Code § 73-10-32.5 — Culinary water pricing structure., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 73-10-32.5. Culinary water pricing structure.
Effective 5/7/2025 73-10-32.5.
Culinary water pricing structure.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Public water system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 19-4-102.
(b)
"Retail water supplier" means the same as that term is defined in Section 19-4-102.
(c)
(i)
"Water conservation effort" means a program that is designed to incentivize, encourage, or result in reduced water usage or more efficient use of water.
(ii)
"Water conservation effort" includes the costs associated with designing, implementing, and operating a program described in Subsection (1)(c)(i).
(d)
"Wholesale water supplier" means the same as that term is defined in Section 19-4-102.
(2)
A retail water supplier shall:
(a)
consider water conservation, including at least one water conservation effort, in setting water rates with the goal of encouraging efficient water use and eliminating wasteful or excessive water use;
(b)
establish a culinary water rate structure that:
(i)
incorporates increasing block units of water used;
(ii)
provides for an increase in the rate charged for additional block units of water used as usage increases from one block unit to the next;
(iii)
by July 1, 2027, includes one or more water conservation efforts as an element in determining the rate charged for at least the highest usage block unit of water for a customer classification that primarily serves residential customers; and
(iv)
is based on a generally accepted rate setting method, including a standard or method established by the American Water Works Association;
(c)
provide in customer billing notices, or in a notice that is distributed to customers at least annually, block unit rates and the customer's billing cycle;
(d)
include individual customer water usage in customer billing notices; and
(e)
consider urban farming that improves food security, reduces pollution, and creates green spaces in setting rates.
(3)
This section does not prohibit:
(a)
a public water system with 500 or fewer service connections from taking an action or adopting a culinary water rate structure described in Subsection (2); or
(b)
a retail water supplier from including water conservation and a water conservation effort as an element in setting rates for customer classifications that do not primarily serve residential customers.
(4)
A public water system:
(a)
is not required to establish or show that the portion of the rate designed to encourage water conservation, and fund a water conservation effort, within the highest usage block unit of water for a customer classification:
(i)
is based on the public water system's actual cost of service;
(ii)
has a reasonable basis when compared to rates the public water system charges:
(A)
for other block units of water within a customer classification; or
(B)
for block units of water in other customer classifications; or
(iii)
is limited to a reasonable profit or return on investment;
(b)
may include in a customer billing a fee, surcharge, penalty, or other charge that is collected pursuant to an agreement between the public water system and the wholesale water supplier from whom the public water system purchases water; and
(c)
if the public water system is a for-profit entity, may not use revenue from the highest usage block unit of water designed to encourage water conservation to pay profits or dividends to the public water system's investors or owners.
(5)
The use of revenue collected from the portion of any block unit of water designed to encourage water conservation may include funding water conservation efforts that are shared with or administered by another public water system or a wholesale water supplier.
(6)
The adoption and implementation of that portion of a public water system's water rate that includes water conservation as an element in determining the rate charged for the highest usage block unit of water, as provided in this section, is conclusively presumed:
(a)
to be reasonable; and
(b)
to reflect the reasonable estimated cost of delivering the service for which the fee was paid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 73-10-32.5
What does Utah Code § 73-10-32.5 cover?
Section 73-10-32.5 ("Culinary water pricing structure.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 73-10-32.5?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 73-10-32.5" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 73-10-32.5 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
