FAQ

To serve you better, we've assembled a list of our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.

How could I have used this much water?

Did someone in the household leave the water on outside over night?  

Please check your system for a water leak by turning all water-using appliances off so that no water is being used. This means turning off all water inside and outside the house including showers, sinks, washing machines and any appliance that uses water. If you have a sprinkler irrigation system, turn off the controller and manually shut off the two valves at the double check valve assembly (DCVA) to isolate the irrigation system.

Take the lid off the meter box and look at the meter. Your meter will have a little pinwheel, triangular or round disc that is commonly called a “leak indicator” that turns even when very small amounts of water are being used. If that little wheel is spinning then you need to go back into the house and shut off all the stop valves to the toilets and recheck the water meter. If the leak indicator stops then you know that it is a leaky toilet problem, if it doesn’t you need to look elsewhere on your system.

If you have one of our newer meters, then you will remove the meter box lid carefully due to an antenna (endpoint) connected to your meter. If you have a suspected leak you may see a picture of a faucet with a drop of water coming out.

 

What do I do if I am experiencing low pressure?

Check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.

Why is my water discolored?

A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look. If you have the hot water turned on, it could be your water heater.

What chemicals does our utility district add to the water?

Only chemicals that are approved by the National Safety Foundation for treatment of drinking water.

My water tastes, looks, and smells funny. Is it safe to drink?

All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.

Why does debris come out of the faucet when running hot water?

Most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater.

Why do I have a previous balance when I know I sent in my payment?

We may have received your payment after the due date or we may not have received it at all. Call our office and we will help you solve the problem.

Why did I receive a late payment when my Bank posted the payment early?

Payment Through Financial Institution Online Bill Pay
Many financial institutions such as major banks offer their customers the ability to pay their bills via an online bill payment service (through your bank's website). Normally, these services debit the customer's checking or savings account to pay the bill. Depending on the financial institution, they may or may not charge a fee for the service. These type of payments are made by check that the Bank prints and mails to PCSUD.  The Bank sometimes hold these checks for several days before mailing which could cause your payment to be late. Please consult with your bank for more information.