How do I know my water is safe to drink?
The water that Livermore Municipal Water supplies to you meets
or is better than all federal and state drinking water regulations.
These regulations require
close monitoring of all water supplies, and we report a summary of the monitoring
results each year. Click here to see Livermore Municipal Water's latest Water
Quality Report.
Does the water contain fluoride?
Water supplied by the Livermore Municipal Water does not contain
fluoride.
How come the taste of my water changes from time to time?
The minerals in a water supply affect the “taste” of the water, just like different brands of bottled water will taste different. Livermore Municipal Water receives all of its water supply from the Zone 7 Water Agency, the Valley's
water wholesaler. Zone 7 treats water from the State Water Project in the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta, and from groundwater wells in Pleasanton. As part of managing these
potable (safe to drink) water sources, Zone 7 will vary the mix of treated surface
water and disinfected well water delivered to the retail water agencies
in the Valley. Over the course of a year, Livermore Municipal Water receives
mostly treated State Water Project water. On occasion, it will receive more
groundwater. The variation in the mix of surface water and groundwater delivered
to Livermore may result in changes in the taste of the water.
Why does my water smell?
To determine the cause of the smell, let your water run for 30 seconds before
rinsing and filling a glass. Characterize the smell.
No smell: The smell is probably coming from bacteria in
the P-trap under the drain. Other smells could be from home
water
treatment systems — check the system, e.g. filters.
Chlorine/Chemical: Oftentimes, the smell detected is the
result of chlorine used to disinfect the water supply. If the
smell
is particularly bothersome, let the water stand in an open
container until the chlorine dissipates.
Foul smell: Foul odors often come from drains or garbage
disposals. The rotting organic matter or bacteria in the drain/disposal
are stirred up when the
water is turned on. To get rid of the odor, fill the sink with hot water,
add an ounce
of household bleach, and allow the water to drain slowly.
I want to talk
to someone about my water quality concerns.
The Water Resources Division staff is happy to answer customer concerns
with water quality. If the problem is easily recognizable, we
will provide help by phone.
If the problem appears to be serious, one of the Livermore Municipal Water
staff will visit to assess the problem. Contact a Livermore Municipal Water
staff member
by calling 960-8100 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have a serious
concern and it is outside those hours or during the weekend, call 960-8160.
I want to fill my swimming pool. Any special steps I need to take?
There are no special steps required. You will be charged for the
water in accordance with current water rates.
How about draining my pool. Any
special steps for that?
The city recommends draining swimming pools into a sanitary
sewer.
How do I start or stop water service?
To start or stop water service, call the Finance Department at
960-4320.
I'm having problems with my water service. What should I do? First, determine if the problem is local to your home, or if your neighbors
are experiencing it as well. If many homes are having the same problem, inform
the
Water Resources Division of the problem by calling 960-8100, Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During other hours and on weekends, call 960-8160.
I've checked with my neighbors
and the problem is only happening in my home. What now? In the case of a water stoppage, Livermore Municipal Water may have cut the
supply to your home to perform routine maintenance, make a repair, or because
your account is in default. Contact them at 960-8100, Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During other hours and on weekends, call
960-8160.
If the water is brown, cloudy or otherwise poor in quality, you may have
a problem with your pipes. Contact a reputable plumber to check the condition.
If your flow is erratic, there may be air in your pipes. Let
the water run for a few minutes to clear
the problem. If the problem persists, call a reputable
plumber.
I have a high bill. How do I determine if I have a water leak? Reading your water meter can help you detect leaks in your household plumbing.
Where is my water meter? How do I read it? The water meter is generally in a concrete box
marked "water" on the lid, located near the curb in
front of your home or place of business. By reading your water
meter, you can tell how much water you use, and you can check
for leaks. If you turn off all the taps, and the meter is
still turning, you'll know that you probably have a leak
somewhere.
To remove the lid, insert a tool such as a large
screwdriver into one of the holes and pry the lid off. Visually
examine the area around the meter to make sure there are no harmful
insects or other animals. The water meter measures in units of cubic
feet. One cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons. Your water bill is based
on the number of units of 100 cubic feet used during the billing
period. The abbreviation for 100 cubic feet is ccf, with one ccf
equal to 748 gallons of water. Let's say, for example, that you
check your meter and it reads 21,500. This number represents the
total number of cubic feet of water recorded since the meter was
installed. If, when you check your water meter again, you've used
1,500 cubic feet of water, the water meter would then read 23,000
cubic feet (21,500 plus 1,500).
Whose pipes are whose? Livermore Municipal Water is responsible for
pipes on the "street side" of the water meter, including all service lines and water mains extending throughout the community, as well as the water meter itself. If you notice a water leak in the street or in the vicinity of your water meter, please call 960-8100 to report it.
The property owner is generally responsible for all pipes and plumbing on the
"customer side" of
the water meter. This includes the interior plumbing of the home, the
outside irrigation system, and the area where the property's water system
connects
to the water meter.
I have questions about my water bill. Who do
I call? Please call the Finance Department at 960-4320 with any billing
questions.
What is
recycled water? The
California Water Code defines recycled water as "water which, as a
result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial
use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur." Water
recycling allows water managers to match water quality to specific
reuse applications. This reduces the amount of fresh water
required for non-potable uses, ensuring that the best and purest
sources of water will be reserved for the highest use - public
drinking water.
Why
is water recycling important? Huge
dams and intricate water delivery systems play an important role in
sustaining the growing thirst for water around the world.
However, many regions have been forced to reassess the long-term
reliability of their major water supply systems. Between now
and the year 2020, the world's population is expected to increase
dramatically. Additionally, there is a growing recognition of
the need to restore and preserve our aquatic ecosystems by allowing
larger volumes of water to remain within the banks of streams
flowing down from the mountains and all the way out to sea.
For
many communities, recycled water solves many
problems simultaneously. For example, it may solve a difficult pollution
control problem or help restore a wetland or marsh. It may
forestall a severe water shortage or provide drought protection.
And, it may offset the need to purchase more water from an
external supplier. In every case, a community needs to invest
in water resources, whether from a local source or from imports.
Water recycling allows the community's investment in water resources
to go to work locally, creating jobs, benefiting the
environment and stimulating the economy.
Is
recycled water use regulated by law? Generally,
state, environmental management and public health agencies regulate
the production, conveyance and use of recycled water. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and local health agencies may also
have a role in regulating recycled water use.
What is
the quality of recycled water? The
final use of the water dictates how much additional treatment is
required over and above the baseline treatment required for
discharge into a waterway. Recycled water that has the
greatest potential for human contact must have the highest level of
treatment and reliability. Treatment requirements are less
intense for non-potable uses where human contact is less likely to
occur.
How
is recycled water treated? Wastewater
goes through primary, secondary and advanced tertiary treatment at
the Livermore Water Reclamation Plant. During a primary treatment,
large solids are removed. Secondary treatment uses bacteria to
remove approximately 95-98 percent of the remaining solids and
organic material. Tertiary treatment employs filtration to
remove any remaining solids and uses a disinfectant (ultraviolet
disinfection), to destroy bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.
These processes duplicate nature's own purifying actions.
How
is recycled water used? California
is a pioneer in the field of water recycling. Successful
projects exist for practically any type of reuse imaginable.
Landscape irrigation has been practiced for more than 50 years, and
recreational uses and industrial recycling are also common.
Agricultural irrigation, always an important reuse for forage crops,
has expanded in recent years as a result of major studies
demonstrating that tertiary treated water is safe for raw-eaten
(uncooked) crops. There are many examples of recycled water being
used to support and enhance aquatic habitat, fish, and wildlife.
Are
recycled water systems kept separate from drinking water system?
Yes.
Standard practice requires separate pipes for drinking water and
recycled water. Guidelines set by the Department of Health Services
ensure that recycled water facilities are clearly distinguishable
from other water facilities to avoid mixing of supplies. Pipes are
made of purple material, and labeled with the words "Recycled
Water - Do Not Drink."
What
is the cost of recycled water?
Costs
vary depending on the type of project being developed, the degree of
treatment required, and the proximity of the water treatment plant
to the location where the recycled water will be used. Many agencies
have been resourceful in obtaining federal, state, and local grants
and/or low-interest loans that help defray the cost of the recycled
water and make it more competitive with other sources. However, the
cost of producing recycled water is frequently a deterrent to
developing a successful project. This is likely to change in the
future because recycled water is becoming more competitive with the
cost of other new water supplies.
How
do I get more information about recycled water in Livermore? Call
the Water Resources Division at 960-8100.
Why worry about stormwater? Isn't
it just rainwater? Understanding the difference between sanitary
sewer drains and storm drains is key to understanding the reason
we need to manage storm water. Indoor waste drains in Livermore
are connected to a network of sewer lines that flow into the
Livermore Water Reclamation Plant. There, the wastewater is treated
to a high degree before discharge to the San Francisco Bay.
Outdoor drainage typically flows directly to the nearest creek
or watercourse, without any treatment. As rain falls to the
ground, it comes in contact with pollutant sources that increase
the potential for pollution of the runoff that flows into the
storm drain system.
Is stormwater regulated? The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality
Control Board (RWQCB) requires Bay Area cities and counties
to conduct stormwater management programs. The objective of
these programs is to minimize the release
of pollutants into the environment that pose a significant threat
to local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Along with Alameda
County, Zone 7 Water Agency, and 13 other cities in the county,
the city of Livermore is regulated by a stormwater discharge
permit issued by the RWQCB. Since 1991, these member agencies
of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program have worked together
to educate the public on how to keep businesses and homes from
contributing to storm water pollution. The entities also coordinate
activities with other pollution prevention programs, such as
wastewater treatment plants, hazardous waste disposal, and water
recycling.
Who maintains the storm drains
and drainage ditches? The Water Resources Division is responsible
for maintaining storm drains and drainage ditches in public
areas and along city streets. Storm drains and ditches divert
the water and debris after a storm or rain shower away from
road surfaces and public areas to prevent flooding. The storm
drain system consists of inlets or catch basins, open channels
and ditches, underground pipelines, and detention ponds. Water
Resources Division personnel routinely clean drains and ditches to remove
any obstacles obstructing the flow of water, and make structural
improvements to ensure that the system can efficiently and reasonably
handle the water flow.
What else does the City do to manage
stormwater? The water that flows into the storm drain
system is not treated before emptying into the local creeks.
Preventing pollutants from entering the storm drain system is
an important function of the Source Control Section of the Water
Resources Division. The Source Control staff inspects industrial
and commercial facilities to identify illegal discharges or
conditions that could allow pollutants to enter the storm drain
system. The staff educates business operators about the requirement
to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutants
entering storm drains. Staff also responds to reports of spills
or dumping into the storm drain system, and takes enforcement
action in the event of noncompliance with regulations.
Who do I call if a storm drain
has backed up or my street is flooding? Contact the Water Resources Division at 960-8100
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During other hours and
on weekends, call the Water Resources Division at 960-8160.
What can Livermore citizens do
to help? Remember to never dispose of leaves, grass
clippings or trash into the storm drain system, or in a location
such as a roadway where the debris can be swept into the system
by storm water. Such actions can result in serious flooding
during the next storm. Also, never dump oil, paint, pesticides,
or other pollutants into the street, gutter or storm drain.
Remember the slogan, “Only Rain Down the Storm Drain” to
help keep our local creeks and Bay clean. Also, be sure to let
us know of any illegal dumping or practices you observe that
could cause pollution of stormwater or obstruct the storm drain
system. Call the same numbers listed above for reporting backups/flooding.
How do I get more information about
the City of Livermore Stormwater Program? Call the Water Resources Division during
regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That number again is 960-8100.
