FAQ

Q?Who should I call in case of a water emergency, such as a water line break or broken fire hydrant?
A :

For water emergencies, call (714) 894-8106.

Q?How do I turn off the water supply to my house in the event of a break in my plumbing or a repair?
A :

You can interrupt the flow of water to your home by turning off your house valve. House valves are usually located beneath a faucet outside the home, most typically near the faucet for the garden hose. If you cannot find your house valve, please call us for assistance.

Q?How do I check for household leaks?
A :

The most common culprit for indoor leaks is the toilet. To find out if your toilet leaks, listen for the sound of running water. You can also place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Don’t flush the toilet. If the coloring is seen in the bowl, the toilet is leaking. Other indications of household leaks are dripping faucets and unusual wet spots in the house or yard. A leak of 30 drops a minute wastes 84 gallons of water a month.

You should also check the pipes bringing water into your house, sprinkler system timer, water softener, water heater, and water filtration unit. If everything seems to be in order, or you need assistance, please call our office. We’re here to help.

Q?Is EWA responsible for plumbing leaks?
A :

The California Public Utilities Commission only authorizes EWA to take responsibility for the water system on the Company’s side of the Eastside Water Association valve nearest the street (some boxes have 2 valves in the valve box: an owner shut-off valve on the house side, and EWA’s valve on the street side). Customers are responsible for maintaining the plumbing on their side.

Q?Should I buy a home filtration unit?
A :

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, because improperly maintained units can actually cause water quality problems.

Q?Why do EWA employees open fire hydrants?
A :

We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build-up and sediment from the pipes and also to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system. Fire hydrants may also be opened to conduct fire-flow capability tests.

Q?Should I buy a water softener?
A :

The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.

Q?What steps can I take to use water wisely?
A :

Outside the house, water thoroughly but less frequently and only in the cool times of day. Turn off your automatic sprinklers when it rains. Water your lawn only when it needs it; if a screwdriver inserted into the soil goes in seven inches easily, the lawn doesn’t need water. Don’t let the hose run while washing your car; use a bucket instead with a quick hose rinse at the end. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Inside the house, run only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher. Refrain from using your toilet as a wastebasket. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth and shaving. While waiting for hot water to come down the pipes, capture the cold water in a watering can to use later on your plants. Shorten your showers, or install a low-flow showerhead.

Q?Why does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A :

A milky or cloudy appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the water, which pose no health risk. If the water is allowed to sit, the air will dissipate and the water will clear. If the cloudiness does not disappear, please call us so that we may investigate.

Q?What causes the spots on my dishes?
A :

Spots are caused by hard water, or minerals that remain after the water has evaporated. Spots can be eliminated through use of a dishwasher rinse agent.

Q?What should I do if my coffee has an oily appearance?
A :

Clean your coffee maker with vinegar and water as directed by the manufacturer.

Q?What causes odor in the hot water?
A :

The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please call our office if the odor persists or if it is present in both the hot and cold water.

Q?What causes some water to be discolored?
A :

Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. We flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediment from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard; however, we ask that you please report any instances of discolored water to us so that we may investigate.

Q?Is bottled water higher quality than tap water?
A :

Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap water is a much better deal, costing 1,000 times less than bottled water.

Q?Why does water need to be disinfected?
A :

Disinfectants are required because they prevent the spread of germs that cause diseases. Years ago, before disinfectants were used for drinking water, diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery were common. Drinking water disinfection has vastly improved the quality and safety of drinking water.

Q?Why does my water have a chlorine taste (or smell)?
A :

We disinfect your water to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria. To reduce any chlorine taste or smell, try refrigerating your water before drinking.

Q?Why is there dirt or sand in my water?
A :

Dirt or sand can occur naturally in groundwater or as a result of a water line repair. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the pipes and removing most of the sediment from the water.

Q?Why does the taste of my water change throughout the year?
A :

In some of our service areas, water sources change at certain times of the year due to the availability of supplies. Surface water, or water that comes from sources like rivers and lakes, tends to taste slightly different than water pumped from underground aquifers.

Q?How do I discontinue or transfer my water service?
A :

To stop your water service, please contact us by phone, mail, or e-mail and request to have the service taken out of your name. If you are moving within our service area and would like to transfer your service, please call us.