Winterizing your sprinklers
Whether you are a confident DIY-er or you hire a professional, winterizing your sprinkler system and backflow device before the first frost is a great way to protect your pipes from breaks and future water leaks. Here’s a quick overview of what to do:
- Shut down the water supply to your irrigation system.
- Remove or open the drain cap (have a bucket handy!).
- Open the ball valves (test valves) on your backflow device. Check for any other drain valves and open those too.
- Open the drain valves in the valve boxes.
- Blow out sprinkler lines using an appropriate compressed air device.
For a more detailed tutorial, check out this video from Broomfield County. A little time now can save a lot of repairs later – don’t wait to winterize!
Conservation Resources for Indoor Water Use
Participate in the Eleven Gallon Challenge, which provides simple steps you can do at home to easily save water.
Using Your Smart Meter Portal
If you have a Sensus smart meter, you have a powerful water-saving tool right at your fingertips. You can easily track your water use, detect potential leaks, and set limits on your water use through the Customer Portal.
How to Access your Smart Meter
- Go to https://my-slc.sensus-analytics.com/login.html#/signin or www.slc.gov/utilities.
- If you don’t have an account, click “Register” or “Need to set up an account”.
- Enter your email address and check your inbox for a confirmation email.
- Follow the link in the email to complete your account setup.
- Enter the following information when prompted:
- Your Salt Lake City Public Utilities account number (without the “W”)
- Your house number
- Your phone number (optional, for mobile alerts)
- Create a password and click Submit.
Plan Ahead for Your Landscape or Irrigation System
Winter is a great time to dream up next summer’s outdoor projects. Planning now for landscape or irrigation system improvements can help you save water and money when the warm weather returns.
We offer several great water-saving programs:
- Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater for those shoulder months before your irrigation system is on and after it is turned off.
- SLC TurfTrade: Purchase low-water grass seed, available year-round.
Learn more about these and other conservation programs on our website.