FAQ
For our hours of service or to contact Municipal Utilities for questions or emergencies, please visit:
Service Providers
To find the water or garbage service provider for your address, please use About Your Address. Links to frequently asked questions and answers about Stockton Municipal Utilities:
- General Water Questions
- Water Quality
- Water Meters
- House Valves
- Water Pressure/Volume
- Pools
- Stormwater
- Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG)
General Water Questions
Q: Where does our water come from?
A: Our water comes from groundwater (wells), surface water supplied to us by Stockton East Water District, and the Delta.
Q: What is the water pressure in my area?
A: Pressure varies throughout the day, it is usually anywhere from 45 to 55 psi.
Q: Are all water mains in the middle of the street?
A: Water mains are behind the curb and below gutter flowlines and, in some cases, in a customer's backyard.
Q: Does the City of Stockton locate services for customers?
A: We will locate only if the customer has a leak or if they are replacing their lines.
Q: How deep are service lines?
A: We suggest they be no deeper than 18 inches. In some cases they are 2-4 feet deep.
Q: Why do city employees take a boat out on the river ?
A: The City is required by the State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board to monitor the quality of the water in the San Joaquin Delta, because we discharge treated sewage into the Delta. While on the river, we check oxygen levels, pH ( acidi/alkaline), water temperature, and samples for further analysis.
Water Quality
Q: Is my water safe to drink ?
A: The City of Stockton is required by the State of California Department of Health Services to conduct extensive testing of the water they supply to the public. This is mandated by a regulation Title 22. The results of this testing are provided to the public in an annual water quality report mailed to rate payers in the spring of the year. This report lists all contaminants for which analyses are performed, and gives the average, high, and low levels of the contaminant detected in the analyses. Copies of this report are available from Municipal Utilities. If you have any questions regarding interpretation of these results, contact our Water Quality Hotline.
Q: Why does my water have a "brown" or "reddish" color?
A: Sometimes when water crews are isolating valves, it causes disturbance in the water lines and can cause harmless sediment such as iron manganese to flow through the lines. The sediment can be flushed out by opening the outside hose bib. The water will not harm pipes and is not unsafe, but it would be best to flush at the front hose bib and run the outside irrigation system until clear. If, after following these procedures, the problem persists, field staff can be dispatched to investigate.
Water Meters
Q: Does every meter have a leak detector on it?
A: Older meters will not have a leak detector. A leak detector is a small triangle-shaped feature visible on the face of the water meter. If the leak detector is moving while all fixtures or faucets are shut off, that usually indicates water is being lost somewhere. If the house valve is turned off and the leak detector is moving, that usually indicates the service line is leaking (the pipe feeding water to the house from the water meter).
Q: Does the City replace meter boxes (new subdivision) when a contractor breaks them?
A: All meter boxes are installed at the time the subdivision is being established. If the contractor calls and says the meter box is broken, it is his responsibility to replace it. If he calls and says the meter box is missing or that there is no meter box, it could have been removed by another contractor. However, it is still the contractor's responsibility to replace the box.
House Valves
Q: Where is my house valve located?
A: House valves will be a pipe extending from the ground, below a faucet feeding water into the house. Generally, if the meter is in the front yard, the house valve will be in the front yard, etc. In some cases, especially in older homes, the house valve may be buried below ground.
Q: Does every house have a house valve?
A: Yes. Although sometimes in older homes, the valve might be below the ground and not visible.
Q: Can the City of Stockton pinpoint a leak for a customer?
A: We can only show them where the water is surfacing.
Water Pressure/Volume
Q: What is the difference between pressure and volume?
A: Pressure is the amount of water you get in force (PSI), and volume is the amount of water you are capable of receiving through your line.
Q: What if my water pressure seems low?
A: Check your house valve to make sure it is fully opened. On most service calls, the house valves are partially open, especially if the customer has just moved in or if it is a new home. Once the house valve is fully open, the volume of water will be sufficient.
Q: What if the problem is not the house valve?
A: When a customer calls and complains of "low pressure," it is usually not a low pressure complaint but a low volume complaint.
- If the problem is inside the home, it is a volume problem, not pressure.
- If the problem is at a particular fixture or faucet inside the home, that faucet or aerator screen might be plugged. Remove and clean the aerator or faucet screen and see if that solves the problem. If not, call a plumber because the problem is internal. Internal problems are not the responsibility of the City of Stockton.
- If you recently installed a new irrigation system and experience low pressure in the irrigation system, the system was probably "over-designed." You will need to modify their system or contact a plumber.
Pools
Q: Can I fill my swimming pool?
A: New swimming pools may be filled at any time. However, the water conservation ordinance restricts citizens from draining and refilling their existing swimming pools.
But there are instances when a variance can be granted. To request a variance against this restriction, send a written request to the Municipal Utilities Department and briefly state the reason to drain and refill your existing swimming pool.
Q: Can I discharge my pool water into the gutter or street?
A: Pool water should only be discharged into the sewer cleanout where water will be treated before it is discharged into the Delta.
Stormwater
Q: What stormwater discharges are required to have NPDES stormwater permit coverage?
A: The NPDES stormwater permit regulations, promulgated by EPA, cover the following classes of stormwater discharges on a nationwide basis:
- Operators of MS4s located in "urbanized areas" as delineated by the Bureau of the Census.
- Industrial facilities in any of the 11 categories that discharge to an MS4 or to waters of the United States; all categories of industrial activity (except construction) may certify to a condition of "no exposure" if their industrial materials and operations are not exposed to stormwater, thus eliminating the need to obtain stormwater permit coverage.
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Operators of construction activity that disturbs one or more acres of land. Construction sites less than one acre are covered if they are part of a larger plan of development.
Q: What construction activities are regulated under the construction stormwater permit program?
A: All construction activities one acre or larger must obtain permit coverage. Construction activities less than one acre must also obtain coverage if part of a larger common plan of development or sale that totals at least one acre. Small construction activities (less than five acres) may qualify for a waiver.
Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG)
Q: What is FOG and why should I care?
A: FOG refers to fats, oil, and grease generated from normal business operations of food service establishments (FSEs). FOG is produced by most establishments who deal with food prep as well as residential homeowners. Common sources of FOG include meat, dairy, food scraps, cooking oils, butter, baked goods, sauces, dressings, sandwich spreads, gravies, and marinades.
FOG is often washed into the plumbing system during food prep through the kitchen sink. As it travels, it congeals and decreases pipe capacity both inside the building and in the main sewer system. FOG can block your drain, your neighbor’s drain, and main collection lines, potentially causing an environmental and public health risk.
FOG gets into the sewers mainly from commercial food establishments that do not have adequate grease control measures in place, such as grease interceptors.
Q: What are the costs associated with FOG?
A: To your business: As your sewer pipes back up, the accumulated sewage and food particles attract insects and other vermin, cause unpleasant odors and health hazards. Property damage can also result from sewage backups and lead to expensive cleanup and plumbing repairs. Health code violations or closures can also cost your business.
To the environment: Clogged sewers can overflow onto streets, enter the storm drain system, and be carried to our local creeks and waterways, creating health risks for swimmers, fish, and plants.
To the City: Increased sewer blockages and overflows lead to costly maintenance and can result in severe fines from State regulatory agencies. This can increase your sewer fees.
Q: Why shouldn't FOG go down the drain?
A: When FOG is released into the sewer lines, it threatens the collection system's ability to remove waste from our community. FOG sticks to the sides of pipes, decreasing the pipe's capacity and eventually blocking the pipe. This requires sewer pipe to be cleaned and replace more often.
Q: Why is the issue of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) important?
A: Overflowing sewers release bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens often hazardous to human health. The sewage may be released into your business or home, or into our waterways, streets, and parks. SSOs are unpleasant and expensive to clean up,and if they occur on your property, the property owner is responsible for the cleanup.
External Links
US Environmental Protection Agency NPDES Stormwater Permit Coverage waiver
This City of Stockton web page last reviewed on --- 2/3/2016