|
WELLS
The Otay Water
District has no regulatory authority or
control over groundwater pumping. We do,
however, require the installation of a
District-approved backflow preventer on
the service line for properties that
have both a well and a connection to the
public water system (see
Cross-connection prevention below).
Customers who wish to drill and/or
operate a well on their property should
contact their local land use agency for
information on the necessary permits.
CROSS-CONNECTION PREVENTION
The term
cross-connection refers to a condition where the public water system
is exposed to contamination through a service connection to a
private plumbing system or other source. Such contamination could
occur if a private pump were to force water back into the public
water system. This example is called back-pressure, and many of
these private systems inject harmful compounds like fertilizers and
industrial or pool chemicals -- things we don't want in our drinking
water.
Another
condition, called back-siphonage, may occur when a water main
breaks, a fire hydrant gets knocked off, or even under fire-fighting
demands. In these situations, normal water pressure in the mains may
turn to suction which can draw private water back into the public
system. In this event, even a simple garden hose that may be filling
a swimming pool, in a bucket containing chemicals, or a backyard
pond can become a source of contamination.
As a precaution
against potential cross-connections, the District requires a
certified back-flow prevention assembly be installed on all on all
non-residential water service connections and any residential
service where an on-site well or booster pumping system is in place.
For more information about this program, please contact Shannon Coffin, Lead Meter Maint/Cross Connection
Worker at 619-670-2788 or email at
shannon.coffin@otaywater.gov
or
Tim Keeran, Meter Maint/Cross
Connection Supervisor at 619-670-2263 or email at
tkeeran@otaywater.gov
FIRE
SERVICE
Water service is provided by the District
solely for use in fire hydrants or fire sprinkler systems from lines
or laterals connected to the District's water mains. The monthly
system charge is $28.55 per month for each connection for fire
protection service.
CONTROL AND OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC
WATER SYSTEMS
Water service to your home or business has been
made possible by a complex system of pipelines, pump stations,
reservoirs and a multitude of various valves, sensors, controllers
and other equipment. Operation and maintenance of these facilities,
up to and including the customer's meter, are the responsibility of
the District. If you witness any acts of tampering and/or vandalism
of District facilities, immediately call your local law enforcement
agency and the Otay Water District (619-670-2207). Remember, these
are your facilities and the cost of repair or replacement will
ultimately affect the rates you pay for service.
CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE
If
you frequently experience leaking faucets or constantly running
toilets, a faulty water pressure regulator may be the cause. Even in
new homes, pressure regulators wear out and can fail. The quality of
your pressure regulator dictates the years of service to expect.
Devices needed to regulate the
pressure at a home or businesses are considered part of the private
plumbing system and are the responsibility of the customer to
install, adjust, operate and maintain. Pressure regulators may last
as little as one year or twenty years or more. The pressure
regulator is designed to reduce higher service pressures. Very low
service pressures, however, may necessitate the installation of a
private "booster pump" system, which is also the customer's
responsibility to install, adjust, operate and maintain.
Links
|
