Where does my water come from?
Your water flows straight from the American River watershed to Folsom Lake. This watershed provides a healthful, clean and unspoiled environment, which ensures that our customers are getting some of the highest quality water available.
How is my water treated?
Before reaching your home, your water goes through an extensive treatment process at San Juan Water District’s treatment plant. The treatment process ensures high-quality water for our customers. In simple terms, we conduct a series of steps to disinfect and filter water of any impurities and/or contaminants. Once this is done, the water is stored in a 62-million gallon reservoir for distribution to wholesale and retail customers.
How do I know my water is safe to drink?
You can be assured that your water is some of the highest quality water available in California. Today’s testing requirements are very stringent, and San Juan’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The quality of your water is continuously monitored and tested by trained district experts.
 Most water contaminants are measured in parts per billion or even fractions of parts per billion. At these incredibly small quantities, very few substances are even detectable in San Juan water. Here’s how you can visualize these quantities:
- One part per billion is one drop in 13,000 gallons.
- One hundredth of a part per billion (the smallest measurement at which we test substances) is one drop in 1,300,000 gallons.
See for yourself how safe your water is by checking out last year’s water quality report.
How “hard” is my water?
San Juan water’s is naturally soft because it contains very low levels of calcium, magnesium and manganese. Low hardness levels increase the effectiveness of shampoos, soaps and detergents, so only small amounts are needed. San Juan Water District customers don’t need to worry about purchasing or maintaining a water softener to ensure soft water. If you have recently purchased a new appliance, check the manual for additional information about appropriate detergent levels relative to San Juan’s hardness level, which is 1.75 grains per gallon.
Why does my water sometimes taste different during the summer?
As the water level drops in Folsom Lake and the temperature rises during the summer, your water may sometimes taste different as a result. However, your water remains healthful and safe to drink. To enhance the taste of your water during hot weather, simply let a jar of water sit out for a day, then refrigerate it until it’s nice and chilled.
 Should I buy bottled water?
While you may choose to drink bottled water for personal reasons, you don’t need to buy it for health reasons. Water quality standards for San Juan Water District and other California water purveyors are more stringent than those of the bottled water industry. According to a study published by the National Resources Defense Council, bottled water is not necessarily cleaner or safer than tap water. (To access this study, visit www.nrdc.org.)
How much does my water cost?
If we sold our water through a vending machine,
you would get 748 gallons for 37 cents. On average, your tap water costs
one penny for approximately 20 gallons. Although this number can fluctuate
from time to time, you’re always getting quite a deal for your water.
San Juan Water District makes it a priority to deliver high-quality water
at a reasonable price.
How can I pay my water bill?
For our customers’ convenience, San Juan Water District offers simple ways to make your water bill payment. Through our Electronic Funds Transfer program, you can pay your water bill by having your payment automatically deducted directly from your bank account.
We also offer a credit card option for paying your water bill. We accept Visa or MasterCard, and you can sign up to have the amount of your bill automatically charged to your credit card each billing cycle. Credit card payments can also be made over the phone.
You can obtain forms online for either program.
In addition, the district offers an equalized payment plan option. Taking advantage of this payment plan will help you balance out your metered water bill, which can fluctuate seasonally depending on consumption. With this option, you will be billed the same amount on your bi-monthly water bills. The equalized billed amount will be set by calculating a 12-month average of your bi-monthly bills based on consumption. The district will revisit the equalized billed amount annually in May or June (depending on whether you are billed in odd or even months) and adjust the amount if necessary. Please call (916) 791-0115 if you are interested in signing up for this program.
What is the Master Gardening program and how does it relate to SJWD?
UC Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who provide practical scientific horticulture and gardening information to the citizens of California. The Master Gardeners engage in a variety of educational outreach activities and projects as part of their volunteer work. San Juan’s irrigation expert is a qualified Master Gardener and can visit your home to consult with you about your landscape, soil and irrigation needs.
Why is my water pressure different in the summer than in the winter?
Occasionally, you may notice a decrease in water pressure during the summer, generally between 5 and 10 in the morning.
Water use increases significantly during summer months, mostly because of outdoor watering. On a typical summer day, the highest water demand is in the morning when many people are watering their landscaping, taking showers and preparing for the day. Water use between 5 and 10 a.m. in the summer can be eight to ten times higher than water use during the same time period in the winter, which is why you may experience lower water pressure.
To help reduce water demand during these times, avoid watering between 5 and 8 a.m. Also, avoid watering during the heat of the day to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
If you have continuous water pressure problems that are not seasonal, please call (916) 791-0115.
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