Skip to main content

Secondary Water Shut Off

Secondary Water Winter Shutdown

Fall is right around the corner. The 14-day forecast calls for below average temperatures and some rain.  Pressurized Irrigation main valves will be turned off on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4. The system will drain for the next week and water will still be present in some of the pipe network for 10-14 days. Leave your main valve on until the first week of November. Close your valve the first week of November and keep it closed until the system is turned back on next Spring.

Please consider turning off your system early if possible or at a minimum greatly reducing the amount of water that is put on your lawn by turning down the time on your irrigation timer. As we are nearing the end of the irrigation season, the following is the general information on how to winterize your secondary system:
      

  • Make sure your system is drained to prevent freezing pipes.
  • Leave your valve open until Thanksgiving to ensure there is no water going into your system from the main lines in the street. If a valve is shut off before this time, it may potentially leave water in your pipes.
  • Drain fully to prevent freezing but leave your filter on so issues with having an open system do not occur between winter and spring.
  • If you have any questions please contact Public Works at 801-785-2941.

Turning on Secondary Water

We will begin filling the system on April 16th.  We will slowly fill the system incrementally. Please ensure all valves and/or hose bibs connected to irrigation are closed.  If you have a new secondary meter, the installation crews closed the City valve located in the new box. City crews will work down the system and open the valves in the street and at the meter. The pressurized irrigation water will be available for use on Monday, May 1st. Please wait until May 1st.


As a reminder, Pleasant Grove utilizes an alternating daily schedule. Odd addresses water Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Even addresses water Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please no residential watering on Saturday. 


There will be no change in the way secondary water is billed this year. We will only collect data this summer. For information and FAQs related to the secondary meter project, please visit: https://www.pgpimeters.com/


As stewards of the precious resource, we all have the responsibility of using water wisely. With a few small adjustments to our watering schedules and habits, we all can make a big difference. There are many ways to conserve and listed below are a few simple ways we can all help.

  • Refrain from just setting your sprinkler system at the beginning of the year and using the same frequency and duration for spring, summer, and fall.
  • Check your sprinkler system frequently for leaks.
  • Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid watering the sidewalk or roadway.
  • Avoid watering during the heat of the day. Typically, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
  • Try turning your sprinkler timer off and just use the manual switch. You would be surprised how your schedule may be over watering your lawn.
  • Instead of squirting down your driveway to clear dust and debris, use a push broom or a blower.
  • Of course, fixing any leaky plumbing fixture saves water and you, as a consumer, money.
 
If you have a problem with the system or have questions, please call Public Works at 801-785-2941

How to Clean Your Water Filter

PG Irrigation Company

If you need more information please visit our site

Frequently Asked Questions

Call the Public Works Department. All areas are scheduled to be completed by 2008. A schedule map is available at the Public Works shop. (323 West 700 South).

Go to City Hall and pay the hook-up fee of $100. Have a professional hook up your line to the secondary water service, or do it yourself. To help keep our drinking water clean and safe, call the Water Department at 785-2941 to have your hook-up inspected. Don't bury the line until we have inspected it.

Secondary water is dirty water with debris that clogs filters and sprinkler heads. This filter needs to be cleaned regularly. The filter is usually in the box near your secondary water connection.

We began filling the system on April 15th and it takes two weeks for full pressure. Please do not try to turn the system on before May 1st as it disrupts the filling process.

There are several reasons for not turning the system on earlier. Usually this time of year, it's still cold and when the system is filled too soon there are major maintenance issues including lines breaking due to the cold and possible flooding can occur. Also, the earlier the system is filled, the faster the water will run out during the summer.

Secondary water is piped to our homes from the Provo River and used for outdoor use only for watering lawns, gardens, trees, etc. The water is not attached to the house, that is culinary water.

Secondary water is also known as gray water or irrigation water. It is NOT treated and therefore NOT safe to drink.

Most Pleasant Grove residents have secondary water. However, developments west and south of State Street do not have secondary water because the initial cost of going underneath State Street was very high and at the time there was underdeveloped land that the city was not sure how would be built out, causing planning issues for a possible secondary system.

About 2007.

Recommended procedure:

  • Check your valve (NOT UNTIL MAY 1ST) to make sure that it has been turned off from the winter months.
  • Open your valve slowly to check for leaks and broken pipes. If you have a broken pipe, it is most likely from being frozen during the winter.
  • The broken line could be from a low spot in the pipe where the water couldn't drain properly and froze.
  • The city recommends/suggests that you put a drain in where the pipe was broken when you fix your pipe.

In order for the system to operate more efficiently, everyone is asked to help balance the system by following a watering schedule.

  • This requires watering during the day as well at night.
  • It is recognized that watering during the day is less efficient, but it is necessary to better balance water use.
  • ODD number homes water Mon., Wed., Fri.  EVEN number homes water on Tues, Thurs. Sunday.
  • No residential watering on Saturday.

Call Public Works at 801-785-2941.

Water Usage Summer 2015

thermometer image 1
thermometer image 2


thermometer images key

  • Click here for chart of usage compared to last year
  • Click here for details on recommended water usage
  • Click here Water Conservation Awareness and Education Plan