Outage Information and Common Questions

 

What do I do after experiencing an outage / How do I flush my line?

After service has been restored, you may experience an uneven or pulsating stream of water from your faucets or fixtures when you first use them. This is usually caused by a small amount of air trapped in your plumbing lines and will resolve itself after a few minutes through normal water usage. When pipe lines in the streets are disturbed due to repairs in your area, mineral sediments sometimes break loose and cause rusty or dirty-looking water. The sediments are harmless mineral deposits that naturally occur in water. If the water does not clear after running it for a few minutes, please call us and a service inspector will investigate the cause.

If you experience reduced or uneven flow at your faucets, cleaning all faucet aerators (screens) should alleviate the problem. Remove the aerator, clean it out, and the problem should go away. Please be aware that all approved plumbing that is in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and that has been maintained properly will not be affected by most maintenance work performed by San Jose Water.

If you still have a problem with water flow or color, please contact our Customer Service Department at (408) 279-7900.

 

Why does my water have discoloration? Is it safe to drink?

Some mild discoloration in water is common after an outage. This page walks through the different kinds of discoloration you may see in your water, what is causing the color, and whether it is safe to continue using or needs to be treated – click here: https://www.sjwater.com/customer-care/what-does-your-water-look

 

How do I report a leak? 

Fill out this online form to report a leak in your neighborhood.

 

How does a leak get repaired? 

Visit this page to read step by step how a leak gets repaired. Learn our process for investigating, troubleshooting, and repairing street leaks so you know what to expect if you discover a water main leak.

 

More questions?

Our Customer Service team is here to help! Call (408) 279-7900 or email us at customer.service@sjwater.com