Who is my water
provider?
There are several different water providers within the TCPUD
service area. Please refer to the Water Service Territory
List located on this website to determine who your water provider
is.
Where does my
water come from?
Currently all water provided by the TCPUD comes from deep
groundwater wells located in various locations in the Lake
Tahoe Basin.
Does the TCPUD
add any chemicals to the water?
Yes, chlorine, in the form of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite (liquid
bleach) is added to most TCPUD water sources. This is added
to maintain a safety barrier for the customer in the unlikely
event some type of pathogenic organism contamination occurs.
Although the chlorine is often noticeable by taste and smell,
we maintain very low chlorine residuals (0.2 to 0.3 parts
per million) to provide an adequate safety barrier while minimizing
the effect on the taste and odor of the water. Occasionally,
higher levels of chlorine are required during system maintenance,
however these levels should return to normal within 2-48 hours,
and do not pose a health threat.
Does the TCPUD
add fluoride to my water?
Currently the TCPUD does NOT add fluoride to its drinking
water.
My water pressure
is too low, can you increase it?
The TCPUD water system pressure is based on elevation change
between the water storage tank and the point of delivery.
In some instances homes with an elevation close to that of
the tank (within 80 feet) will have normal pressure of 35
psi or less, with even less pressure in upper level facilities.
This is normal and for the most part can't be improved. In
some cases customers have installed small booster pumps in
their home to increase the operating pressure. If your pressure
has decreased over time and you suspect a problem please call
the TCPUD for assistance.
How do I winterize
the water system in my house?
The most convenient and popular way to winterize your home
is by the customer installing a stop and drain valve in a
location accessible year round. This valve allows the customer
to conveniently shut off their water, and when closed allows
the internal house piping to drain out, preventing freezing
pipes in cold temperatures. In addition it provides the customer
an easy location to shut off their water for repairs to their
plumbing, without having to call out the TCPUD for a water
turn off/on, which has a service charge minimum of $35.00.
Running bleeders to prevent frozen pipes is NOT an acceptable
practice, and is an enforceable violation of the TCPUD Ordinance
No. 185. Contact a local plumber for more information on stop
and drain valves.
Where is my
water meter/shutoff box located?
The location of the customers water meter/shutoff box varies,
but is typically located at one of the front property corners.
Many areas in the Highlands subdivision have their water meter/shutoff
box located behind their homes within well-defined public
utility easements.
How can I locate
my water service box in the winter time?
We recommend that you stake or place a snow pole by your box
with a blue mark or blue tape on the top of the pole. A good
way to do this is place the pole out when you snow pole your
driveway.
Who is responsible
for locating and maintaining my water meter/shutoff box and
the water line from the box to the house?
The customer is responsible for locating and maintaining the
water meter/shutoff box and the water line from the box to
the house. The TCPUD may, at the request of the customer,
field locate water lines and facilities if TCPUD personnel
and equipment are available. The customer shall reimburse
the District a standard service charge plus any additional
charges for this request. When the District record drawings
do not show locations for water services, the District will
locate and identify services, including field locations, at
no expense to the customer.
What is the
TCPUD responsible for?
The TCPUD is responsible for maintenance and repair of all
water mains and service extensions. The service extensions
begins at the distribution main and ends at the curb stop
or valve located on the street or easement side of the service
box.
What does the
TCPUD do to ensure that my drinking water is safe?
All of the TCPUD water sources and distribution systems are
operated in compliance with the California Safe Drinking Water
Act. These regulations provide all the guidelines to ensure
the customer receives water that is safe and pleasant for
consumption. These regulations include a water quality monitoring
schedule which requires the TCPUD to perform periodic sampling
of the water to ensure its safety and quality. Results of
this sampling are provided to the customer on an annual basis
in a report know as the Consumer Confidence Report. For more
specific questions please contact the TCPUD.
Where does
the sewer flow from my house end up?
Sewage collected from the North and West shores converge in
Tahoe City and flow in a 36" pipe along the Truckee River
corridor to the Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency (TTSA) wastewater
treatment plant located on the eastern side of Truckee.
Why do I get
two sewer bills?
You are billed by the TCPUD for sewer collection costs, and
by TTSA for sewer treatment costs separately.
What types
of waste or household items should or should not be disposed
of in the sewer system?
Basically, only domestic wastes from sinks, showers, toilets,
laundry facilities and dishwasher should be put into the sewer
system. Things that should NEVER be put into the sewer system
include: paper towels, sanitary napkins, diapers, egg shells,
cooking oils, cooking fat, cooking grease, un-shredded food
materials, oils, flammable liquids, toxic liquids/substances,
acidic substances/liquids, paints, kitty litter, dirt, rocks,
pebbles, sand, clothing materials, or any other solid which
may impede flow in the sewer lines.
My sewer backed
up, and the plumber who came out and cleared it said I have
roots in my line. What can I do about that?
It is important to ask the plumber to inform you of approximately
where the root blockage was. If the blockage occurred on the
house sewer service line between the property line and the
home, it is the customers responsibility to repair. If the
blockage appears to be between the property line and the street,
please notify the TCPUD and we will investigate if repairs
are necessary.
Why should
fats, oil or grease NOT be put into the sewer system?
Once these liquids enter the drain of your sink or dishwasher
they immediately begin to cool and solidify. Depending on
how fast the cool, the grease may solidify in your house service
line or in the TCPUD sewer main. Once solidified, the grease
can accumulate to the point of causing a blockage in the sewer
line, which can back up into your home or cause a backup in
the sewer main possibly resulting in a costly and damaging
sewer spill.
How do I keep
cooking grease, fats and oils from going down the drain?
There are some real simple ways to deal with cooking and food
fats, oil and grease. Drain excess fats from cooking into
a used or empty glass jar or soup can. If not full, save the
can in the freezer for the next time, or simply throw the
container into the garbage. For pots, pans and dishes, dry
wipe them with a paper towel prior to rinsing, washing, or
placing in the dishwasher. The paper towel can then be thrown
into the garbage. These procedures will greatly reduce the
amount of grease, fats and oils, that you discharge into the
sewer system.
Where are my
sewer cleanouts located?
Typically, there are two cleanouts. One is located within
5 feet of the property line, and the other within 5 feet of
the foundation line. Maintenance, and keeping cleanout boxes
exposed is the customers responsibility. It is a good idea
to snow stake your cleanouts in the winter time and make sure
the box is exposed and visible in the spring. If you have
trouble locating your cleanouts, the TCPUD may be able to
provide you with a map, which may assist you.
I have a sewer
easement on my property, what does this mean?
Sewer line easements allow the TCPUD to operate and maintain
sewer facilities on property other than state or county right
of ways. This easement area is to remain free from the erection
or placement of any structures such as fences, outbuildings
and decorative rocks. In addition, landscaping in these areas
is highly discouraged. The TCPUD will not be responsible for
damage to any structures or landscaping which are located
within the easement boundaries, should access for operation,
maintenance or repair be required.
