Households in Utah spend anywhere between $38 and $130 per month on water, with average water and sewer bills weighing in at about $58/month. The largest proportion of usage is in the summer months.
On average across the U.S., around 30 percent of the monthly water bill is from outdoor usage, and the majority of that is for watering lawns and gardens.
So, if you’re wondering how to save on your Salt Lake City water bill, the obvious place to start is with your backyard landscaping solutions.
The rising Salt Lake City water rates and increasing Utah drought conditions make artificial grass an attractive and sustainable yard choice for homeowners looking to save water.
Let’s consider this option more closely with guideline calculations for cost savings and a few other water conservation tips for using smart landscaping solutions in SLC…
How to Save on Your Salt Lake City Water Bill
The quickest way to cut water usage and save on your Salt Lake City water bill is to replace a grass lawn with a more sustainable, drought-resistant landscaping option. Artificial grass thrives and stays green without any water at all, while Utah plants are naturally adapted to the arid Utah conditions and are far less water-hungry than other options.
We look at these options in more detail below, with some other tips for reducing high water bills.
GET A FREE ARTIFICIAL GRASS ESTIMATE IN UTAH
If you’re in Salt Lake City or the surrounding areas, the experienced team at Rocky Mountain Turf will break down the costs for you in a free estimate. Contact us here.
Why Your Salt Lake City Water Bill is So High…
Even moderate-sized Utah households consume more water than you may think. An average medium-use household consumes almost 6,000 gallons of water per month. The figure is almost double that for high-use households, of which there are many (especially those with large backyard lawns).
| Residential Usage | Monthly Winter Consumption | Average Monthly Water Bill (2026) |
| Low | 4 ccf = 2,992 gallons | $37.94 |
| Medium | 8 ccf – 5,984 gallons | $72.18 |
| High | 15 ccf = 11,220 gallons | $132.10 |
Water usage in Utah is measured in units or “ccf”, which stands for Centum Cubic Feet. One unit equals 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons.
Around 30 percent of water in the average household is outdoor usage, with the major contributors being lawn-watering and gardens. Indoors, water usage increases with high-flow fixtures (such as showerheads and faucets), leaky pipes, long showers, and inefficient appliances.
So, how do you reduce high water bills in Salt Lake City?
Cutting down on showers, cleaning, washing clothes or cooking is, understandably, the last option for most Salt Lake City homeowners. These are the basics of life, health, and hygiene.
So, if your monthly water bills are high, the obvious place to start is the non-essentials. Is that grass lawn really necessary or could it be replaced with more water-wise landscaping choices?
The answer, in most cases, is “Yes”. And, when we consider the other benefits of saving water, the case for switching becomes even more compelling.
Utah’s dry climate and frequent drought conditions in much of the state are well-documented, with 100 percent of the state experiencing moderate to severe drought at certain times of the year. At the time of writing, Salt Lake City watering restrictions are in place, as per the provisions of Drought Level Stage 2.
As we shall see in the next section, real grass lawns guzzle many thousands of gallons of water per year, all of which can be saved by switching to artificial grass landscaping.
Traditional Lawn vs. Synthetic Turf: A Breakdown of Water Savings
Nobody would doubt that, by switching to artificial grass from real grass and eliminating residential irrigation needs, huge water savings can be made and water bills reduced, especially in summer. But how much water can be saved, exactly?
Because of Utah’s dry climate, real grass lawns need a LOT of water to thrive. The amount of water required can be reduced by choosing a drought-tolerant grass that is better adapted to the climate—but, compared with artificial grass, the ongoing water and maintenance costs still creep up.
What are the water requirements of real grass lawns?
On average, lawns need around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, which equates to 45-55 gallons of water per square foot per year. Here’s a summary of the estimated water requirements of real grass lawns of varying sizes:
| Lawn Size | Approx. Water Required Per Year | Approx. Water Required Per Month |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | 45,000-55,000 gallons | 3,750-4,583 gallons |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | 67,500-82,500 gallons | 5,625-6,875 gallons |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | 90,000-110,000 gallons | 7.500-9,166 gallons |
| 2,500 sq. ft | 112,500-137,500 gallons | 9,375 -11,458 gallons |
| 3,000 sq. ft | 135,000-165,000 gallons | 11,250-13,750 gallons |
Some estimates put the average lawn size in Salt Lake City at 2,375 square feet. Based on the above, a lawn of this size would require 8,906 to 10,885 gallons of water per month.
Residential water rates in Salt Lake City are charged using a monthly service fee based on the diameter of the pipe and meter, plus the amount of water used, as well as the type of dwelling.
For a standard one-inch meter, for instance, the minimum service fee is $28.57 in the city areas of Salt Lake City. Water rates are as follows for a city-based single-residence dwelling:
| Block 1 | $2.84/ccf | 1–5 ccf (748-3,740 gallons) |
| Block 2 | $3.49/ccf | 5.01-10 ccf (3,740-7,480 gallons) |
| Block 3 | $4.46/ccf | 10.01–40 ccf (4,460-29,920 gallons) |
Remember, “ccf” stands for Centum Cubic Feet, which equals 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons.
So, a 2,350 square foot lawn attached to a city-based single-residence dwelling and requiring 8,908-10,885 gallons per month would cost as follows:
- $2.84 x 5 = $14.20 for the first 3,740 gallons, PLUS
- $3.49 x 5 = $17.45 for the next 3,740 gallons, PLUS
- $4.46 x 2 or 4 = $8.92 or $17.84 for the remainder (approx.)
TOTAL: $40-57 – $49.49/month
That’s at least $486 to $594 per year that could be saved by switching an average-sized lawn to artificial grass.
The real cost of watering the lawn is even higher, though, because by using more than 10 cubic feet of water per month for the lawn alone, the remainder of water usage in the household falls into the more expensive ($4.46/ccf) bracket too.
Without the lawn, a greater proportion of the total monthly water usage would be charged at the lower rate.
What are the synthetic grass water savings?
Artificial turf installations stay green and pristine with no water if you collect debris by hand and cross-brush your lawn from time to time. This effectively eliminates the above watering calculations from your monthly water bill in Salt Lake City.
As you can see from the above calculations, the annual savings potential for Salt Lake City homeowners could be at least $500-$600 on water alone.
Although the upfront cost of artificial grass in Utah is higher than that of real grass, the turf pays for your investment every month. As well as the lower water bills, the lack of lawn-mowing equipment/fuel, fertilizers, weedkillers, seed, sod or pesticides also leads to savings.
Such low maintenance requirements for artificial grass contribute to an impressive return on investment that usually pays back the extra costs of installation in full within five or six years.
Additional Ways to Lower Your SLC Water Bill
There are other ways to enjoy more water-friendly landscaping in Salt Lake City besides installing artificial grass and drought-tolerant lawns.
Many of these eco-friendly grass alternatives can be used in conjunction with artificial grass or separately, depending on the design aesthetic you have in mind:
- Use mulch: An affordable and versatile ground covering usually made from a combination of organic materials like tree bark, wood chips, and pine straw. The beauty of mulch is that it helps retain moisture for your yard.
- Install pavers: Stone or brick pavers are a low-maintenance, zero-water solution for backyard decks, patios, and walkways.
- Pea gravel: This type of smooth gravel is a zero-water grass alternative often found outside Utah homes—in front yards, by driveways, and in backyards.
- Crushed rock: Another affordable way to save on your Salt Lake City water bills, suitable for the same types of areas as gravel.
- Native ground coverings: Creeping thyme, sedum, clover, and sulfur buckwheat can replace grass and require very little water to thrive.
You can also reduce outdoor water usage with a few other smart backyard strategies…
Smart irrigation systems
Save on your Salt Lake City water bills by using smart sprinklers and irrigation systems for lawns, garden beds, and shrubs.
These high-tech systems incorporate special sensors as well as timers, releasing the ideal amount of water at the ideal times, based on the conditions in your yard (weather, soil moisture, etc.) This allows you to water your yard optimally (the best time is usually just before dawn or in the evening after sunset).
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is another sustainable water conservation method that can save money on your Salt Lake City water bill. You collect, store, and reuse rainwater that falls on your property—usually from rooftops, driveways or other catchment areas—rather than letting it flow into storm drains.
Xeriscaping
You can also try xeriscaping your yard. This water-wise landscaping method involves planting native, drought-tolerant Utah plants in combination with other ground coverings like mulch, gravel or artificial grass.
Other top landscaping ideas for Utah yards can be found in this post.
Reduce water usage inside the home
Reducing water usage inside the home is often more challenging than outside of the home, where vast amounts can be saved instantly by replacing a lawn. However, a few common-sense strategies can add up to considerable saved water:
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucets that maintain water pressure while reducing water consumption.
- Check and promptly fix the plumbing lines (and sprinklers) for any leaks and fixtures that are wasting water.
- Install Energy-Star rated, water-efficient appliances, which will save water if the current appliances in your home are old and inefficient.
- Educate family members to turn off taps and take shorter showers, which can lead to significant water savings.
What Makes Synthetic Turf Such a Great Investment?
Besides the money you can save on your monthly Salt Lake City water bill, several other benefits of artificial grass make it worth the higher installation fees compared to real grass.
Firstly, it’s extremely low maintenance, with no mowing, fertilizing, aerating or pesticides required. This also removes the need for garden machinery or sprinkler systems to help with maintaining the lawn.
Although weeds can still grow through artificial grass in rare circumstances, a professional installation should be weed-free, and any weeds that sprout in the infill can be removed by hand.
Premium synthetic turf remains green and pristine all year round with little work required, even in times of drought. It is pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and very versatile, suitable for playgrounds and putting greens as well as lawns. Premium artificial grass is also highly durable, lasting up to 15 years or more if installed professionally and properly cared for.
FAQs
Does Utah offer incentives and rebates for water-smart landscaping?
Utah offers several incentives and rebates to encourage water-smart landscaping by homeowners, helping reduce water consumption and save money. These include the Landscape Incentive Program (for lawn-to-water-wise landscaping conversions) through Utah Water Savers, smart irrigation controller rebates, and a “turf trade” option that offers low-water grass seed (tall fescue blend) to replace the ever-popular but water-hungry bluegrass.
How much money can synthetic turf save on my SLC water bill?
Salt Lake City homeowners can save thousands of gallons of water per month, which adds up to hundreds of dollars annually. According to our calculations, the savings for an average-sized lawn of 2,350 square feet are at least $480 to $600 per year.
How long does synthetic turf last in Utah’s climate?
With proper installation, premium turf lasts 12–15 years but can last even longer if properly cared for.
Can synthetic grass handle Utah’s hot summers and snowy winters?
Yes—premium artificial turf from Rocky Mountain Turf is UV-resistant and professionally installed to drain well in snow, ice, and rain.
Considering the Switch to Artificial Grass?
Lowering your Salt Lake City water bill doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing comfort or convenience in the home.
Outside the home, switching to drought-resistant landscaping in the yard can quickly reduce water usage and monthly bills, as well as reduce ongoing maintenance costs. You may even receive an incentive from local water conservation programs to do so…
If you’re considering drought-resistant landscaping for your Utah backyard, discuss your ideas with an artificial turf professional today.
