The Utah Division of Water Resources is currently accepting applications from retail water providers within the state of Utah that have a current water conservation plan filed with the Utah Division of Water Resources for three-year pilot projects through our new Transparent Water Billing Grant Program.

This program was established to:

• implement water billing practices that inform customers on their water use in an easy-to-understand manner
• engage customers in water conservation practices
• increase transparency and ease of public access to water use data

Water providers that have implemented innovations in how information and water use data are shared publicly and presented in customer billing statements have shown reductions in water use of 5-18%. Some strategies include providing the customer with comparisons of current use to past use, providing a clear breakdown of charges, and providing an online bill calculator that allows customers to determine how their bill could be reduced by implementing various conservation measures.

Funds must be used to create or expand education and outreach on water use through customer billing, increase customer engagement in water conservation practices through billing and other applications, and increase transparency and public accessibility to water use data.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of receiving grant funds. Applications will be prioritized by their potential to reach users in an engaging and effective method as well as a successful plan to track and report program outcomes.

Eligibility Requirements

These one-time funds are available to retail water providers within the state of Utah that have a current water conservation plan filed with the Utah Division of Water Resources.

Project Requirements

• Minimum of 15% cost share from project applicant(s)
• Provide baseline water use data (3 years prior to start of project and throughout the duration of the project)
• Outline of methods used to track water use data
• Outdoor irrigation is a required component of the pilot projects
• Final report must include summary of program effectiveness and lessons learned

Link to application page: https://conservewater.utah.gov/transparent-water-billing/