Reading your water meter will tell you how much water you’re using and whether you have a leak. Most meters are located near the curb in front of your home under a concrete lid. Cal Water uses 100 cubic feet (Ccf) of water as a billing unit, so you should monitor your water usage using these units, as described below.

There are two basic types of meters: the straight-reading meter and the round-reading meter.

Straight-reading meter (reading: 123 Ccf)	Round-reading meter (reading: 123 Ccf)

If you have a straight-reading meter, simply read and record the figures shown in white (123). Subtract your last reading from this reading to determine your usage in hundreds of cubic feet. To convert your usage to gallons, multiply by 748. To check for leaks, observe the large sweep or test hand for at least 15 minutes with all water turned off. If there is any movement, there is a leak.

To read the round-reading meter, begin with the dial labeled 100,000 and read clockwise to the dial labeled 1,000. If the hand on any dial is between two numbers, use the lower number. The hands on individual dials may rotate either clockwise or counter clockwise. Subtract your last reading from this reading to determine usage. The “one foot” dial may be used to detect leaks. If there is any movement while all water is turned off for at least 15 minutes, there may be water leaking.

To effectively monitor your usage, we suggest you read your meter daily or weekly.

To comply with insurance and liability requirements, an adult must be present when water service is turned on.

A leaking toilet can be annoying and wasteful. To check if your toilet has a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If coloring is seen in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. To pinpoint the leak, follow these simple steps:

• If the tank is not filling with water, the float ball is not returning to the seat properly.
• Check to see if the linkage that connects to the trip lever is hung up.
• If that doesn’t work, then the ball needs to be replaced. A flapper ball can replace a worn flush valve ball.
• If the tank is full of water, and water is flowing into the overflow tube, then the valve is not shutting off correctly.
• Lift up on the float ball. If the water shuts off, then the ball is not sitting properly in the tank. This could be caused by two things:
  • The ball has a leak and is full of water. Replace with another ball or flapper.
  • The float ball needs adjusting. Use the screw at the base of the rod to lower the float ball so that the water level is 1/2 to 1 inch below the overflow tube.
• If water does not shut off when you lift up on the float ball, then the valve itself needs to be repaired or replaced. Repair kits and new valves with easy to follow instructions are available at local hardware stores.
• If water is not flowing into the overflow tube, but constantly runs or periodically turns on and off, the flush ball or flapper is not fitting snugly into the flush ball seat. When seats get old, they get pitted and allow water to leak past the seal and down the drain. Minerals and other deposits may also build up on the seat, making it rough.
• If worn, replace the flush ball or flapper.
• If the problem persists, the seat can be cleaned with steel wool, covered with a repair seal, or replaced.

To check for household leaks, turn off the water inside and outside your home. Observe the test hand (depicted at right in blue); if it moves, there is water pushing through the meter, indicating a leak.

To locate a leak, try:

• Looking for wet spots that could indicate a leak in the pipe between the meter and the home or the sprinkler system.
• Dropping a dye tablet in the toilet tank. Don’t flush. If colored water appears in the bowl, the toilet leaks.
• Listening for the sound of running water coming from your toilet. If you hear running water, your toilet has a leak.

Want more information? See the “How to check for household leaks” video on Cal Water’s YouTube channel.

In an emergency, certain necessities of life may be hard to come by, and you may need special tools to deal with unusual situations. These are a few things you should consider putting in your home emergency kit:

• Photocopies of important records (credit and ID cards, deeds, property records, insurance policies, home inventory)
• A small amount of cash or traveler’s checks
• Medical necessities (medication, wheelchair and hearing-aid batteries, contact lens solution, etc.)
• Supplies for your pets (food, a leash or container, veterinary records)
• Food and water for at least three days (including supplies for any pets). A good rule of thumb for water is one gallon per day per person.
• Cooking necessities (a can opener, paper plates, and plastic utensils)
• Portable, battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit and instruction book
• Matches
• Whistle
• Extra clothing
• Pliers or wrench to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items (moist towelettes, toilet paper, feminine supplies, garbage bags)
• Blankets
• Fire extinguisher

Keep your supplies (particularly food) in air-tight plastic bags, and keep your complete emergency kit in one or two closeable, easily portable containers (such as a camping backpack, duffel bag, ice chest, or unused trash can with a lid). The kit should be stored in a cool, dry place that will be easily accessible in an emergency.

Review your emergency kit at least once per year. Make sure that everything is still fresh and in working order, and update it if your family needs have changed.

Emergency supplies are important, but sometimes a little knowledge is more valuable than anything you might have in your emergency kit. Here are a few tips for making sure your “knowledge kit” in order.

• Find out what kinds of disasters can strike your home. Has there ever been a flood where you live? A mud slide? A major earthquake?
• Learn the danger signs. Do you know how to tell when storm drains are overflowing? or how to find out if a fire is close enough to endanger your home?
• Learn first aid, CPR, and how to operate a fire extinguisher.
• Talk to the experts. Do you know how to shut off your gas and electricity? Because building standards vary, you should consult an expert to find out what action to take in your home.
• Develop a plan of action. Together with your family, decide what you would do if disaster struck. Make sure your plan includes escape routes and a means of staying in contact, and that everyone has all the information they need (where supplies are stored, how to shut off the gas, etc.).

After a disaster, it’s critical that you have water on hand in case the water normally provided by Cal Water is unavailable.

Use these guidelines to decide how much water should you set aside for use in an emergency:

• As a general rule, you need at least one gallon of water per person per day (half a gallon for drinking; half a gallon for cooking and cleaning).
• This amount will vary depending on age, activity, physical condition, and diet.
• If it Is hot, you will need more water ? Double the normal amount if it is very hot.
• Children, nursing mothers, and sick people require more water.
• Some additional water should be on hand for medical emergencies.

There are several ways you can make sure your emergency water supply stays fresh.

• Purchase commercially bottled water, keep it sealed, and replace it after its “use by” date.
• Purchase a food-grade water-storage container from a camping supply store, thoroughly clean and rinse it, and fill it with water in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Store your water in a cool, dry place. If you are not using commercially bottled water, replace it every six months.
• Empty large plastic soft-drink bottles (not milk or juice containers, because they may promote bacterial growth), thoroughly clean and rinse them, sanitize them with household chlorine bleach (one teaspoon of non-scented bleach to a quart of water, swished in the bottle so it touches all surfaces), rinse thoroughly with warm water, and fill to the top with tap water. Add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach. Seal tightly using the original cap, being careful not to touch the inside with your fingers. Write the date on the outside of the bottle and store out of direct sunlight.

Regulations by the California Public Utilities Commission authorize energy companies to turn off power to avoid or reduce the risk of wildfires.

Known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff, this safety precaution could impact a water utility’s ability to provide water service to its customers, as water systems rely on power to supply water to their customers. We are providing this information to inform our customers of the steps Cal Water is taking to keep the water flowing in the event of a power shutoff as well as tips for our customers on how to stay informed and prepare as best you can if a power shutoff occurs in your community.

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?

Power shutoffs are an operational practice where energy companies turn off power to prevent the start and spread of wildfires. Local energy companies make the decision to turn off power by monitoring local fire danger conditions and considering weather and environmental factors. A power shutoff could mean no electricity for a long duration and wide expanse. Once high-threat conditions pass, energy companies will re-energize affected lines after inspection to confirm safety.

Mother Nature has a mind of her own—so every situation is unique. But, Cal Water is committed to being as prepared as possible to minimize any potential water system impacts to our customers, as a power shutoff may affect one or more communities served by us.

What is Cal Water Doing to Prepare for a Power Shutoff?

Being prepared for a power shutoff takes careful planning, which begins by designing our water systems the right way and working with local fire agencies and energy companies to support community safety.

Whenever a power outage or shutoff occurs, we put our emergency response training to good use. This means activating our Emergency Operations Center and bringing in our operational, engineering, water quality, and other experts and resources statewide—including portable generators, booster pumps, and emergency trailers—to help keep water flowing to our customers and communities.

But, there’s more to it than that. We go to great lengths beyond our standard procedures to help prevent water service from being disrupted during a power shutoff. Cal Water has been installing permanent generators at a number of our critical stations over the years and bringing in additional, portable generators for other stations. Our crews and employees have also been trained on emergency response procedures for when these widespread shutoffs occur.

How Will I Know if a Power Shutoff Notice Has Been Issued?

Power shutoffs can happen quickly. When possible, the electric companies will notify us, and we will provide our customers with important updates about the water system and their water service. We will attempt to reach customers through calls, texts, and emails using the contact information we have on file. We will also use calwater.com and social media channels, and we will keep local news media informed of any important updates.

To receive alerts, update your contact information in your online customer account or at ccu.calwater.com.

What Can I Do to Prepare for a Power Shutoff?

We do not control how long a power shutoff might last, and while we’ll do everything we can to continue providing water service, a power shutoff could result in water service being interrupted in some cases, such as if we don’t receive enough advanced notice to mobilize resources or the shutoff lasts a longer period of time. Here are a few practical steps you can take right now, so you’ll be ready ahead of time if water service is interrupted:

• Store at least one gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. You should consider storing more water than this for areas with hotter climates, pregnant women, and people who are sick. Ideally, it’s best to have at least a three-day supply of water for each person and pet.
• Purchase commercially bottled water, keep it sealed, and replace it after its “use by” date.
• Purchase a food-grade water-storage container from a camping supply store, thoroughly clean and rinse it, and fill it with water in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Store your water in a cool, dry place. If you are not using commercially bottled water, replace it every six months.
• Empty large, plastic soft-drink bottles (not milk or juice containers, because they may promote bacterial growth), thoroughly clean and rinse them, sanitize them with household chlorine bleach (one teaspoon of non-scented bleach to a quart of water, swished in the bottle so it touches all surfaces), rinse thoroughly with warm water, and fill to the top with tap water. Add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach. Seal tightly using the original cap, being careful not to touch the inside with your fingers. Write the date on the outside of the bottle and store out of direct sunlight.

Get additional emergency preparedness tips.

What’s the Best Way to Stay Informed About My Water Service During Potential Power Shutoffs?

Update your contact information in your free, online customer account or at ccu.calwater.com. In the event of a power shutoff, we’ll post information, send emails, and even text alerts for real-time updates about your water service.

What’s the Difference Between a Power Outage and a Power Shutoff?

A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. This can be due to faults at power stations; damage to electric transmission lines, substations, or other parts of the distribution system; a short circuit; cascading failure; or even circuit breaker operation. A Public Safety Power Shutoff, on the other hand, is an operational practice where energy companies intentionally turn off power to avoid catastrophic wildfires. Local energy companies make the decision to turn off power by monitoring local fire danger conditions and considering weather and environmental factors.

How is Cal Water reacting to PSPS?

For additional information, read this article: Despite Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Water Service Continued to Flow.

After a disaster, if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines, or if officials advise you of a water problem, you may want to shut off your water to prevent tainted water from getting into your home. Turning off your house valve also prevents a broken water line from draining your toilet tanks and hot water heater.

Note that the house valve is not the valve in the cement box by the street—that valve can only be turned off by the water company. The house valve is generally located outside your home near a hose bib.

Here are some tips for managing water in a disaster.

• Never ration water unless authorities recommend doing so, and never drink less than a quart of water a day.
• Don’t drink cloudy or otherwise contaminated water from a faucet, stream, or pond without treating it first, unless you are at risk of dehydration.
• Don’t drink soda or alcohol instead of water.
• To use the water in your pipes after your water is turned off, completely open the lowest faucet in your home and capture water as it trickles out.
• To use the water in your hot-water tank, turn off the electricity and/or gas, open the drain at the bottom of the tank, turn off the water intake valve, and turn on the hot water faucet. Be sure to refill the tank before turning it back on.
• You can also get drinkable water from melted ice, and liquids from canned goods.
• Never drink water from radiators, hot water boilers, water beds, toilets, pools, or spas.