Water Quality & Efficiency FAQs
- Where does my water come from?
- How is my water treated?
- How do I know my water is safe to drink?
- How "hard" is my water?
- Should I buy bottled water?
- Why is my water sometimes different in the summer than in the winter?
- Is there fluoride in my water?
- Should I use more water now so I can meet the state mandate to reduce my water use by 20% by the year 2020?
- Do you offer any rebate programs?
- How do I recognize San Juan field staff?
Where does my water come from?
Your water flows straight from the pristine American River watershed to Folsom Lake.
How is my water treated?
Your water is treated at our treatment plant. We conduct several steps to filter and disinfect water of any impurities and/or contaminants. Once completed, it 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?
San Juan’s water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. We continuously monitor and test your water to ensure quality. Check out our Consumer Confidence Report to see for yourself.
How “hard” is my water?
Our water is considered ultra soft. Due to San Juan's very low level of calcium, magnesium and manganese, you have no need for water softeners.
If you have recently purchased a new appliance, check the manual for information about appropriate detergent levels relative to San Juan's hardness level, which is 1.37 grains per gallon (23.6 parts per million).
Should I buy bottled water?
While you may choose to drink bottled water for personal reasons, you do not need to buy it for health reasons. Water quality standards for San Juan Water District and other California water providers are more stringent than bottled water standards. According to a study published by the Natural Resources Defense Council, bottled water is not necessarily cleaner or safer than tap water.
Why is my water sometimes different in the summer than in the winter?
During the summer, your water’s pressure and taste may be slightly different than it is during the winter. Here’s why:
- Pressure – During the morning hours, water use can be eight times higher in the summer.
- Taste – As Folsom Lake’s water level drops and temperatures rise, your water may sometimes taste different. At all times, the water from San Juan Water District is safe to drink.
- Temperature – As Folsom Lake's water level drops and temperatures rise, your water may be warmer than usual. Keep a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator for a cool, refreshing drink.
Is there fluoride in my water?
No. Your water does not contain fluoride.
Should I use more water now so I can meet the state mandate to reduce my water use by 20% by the year 2020?
Increasing your water usage now would not help you meet the state mandate to reduce water use by 20% by 2020. The baseline water use has already been determined using figures prior to 2009. For tips on how to increase your water efficiency, click here.
Do you offer any rebate programs?
We are excited to offer our customers a variety of rebates for landscape irrigation improvements, high-efficiency washing machines and toilets and hot water demand systems. Visit our rebates page for more information.
How do I recognize San Juan field staff?
San Juan Water District does not test water inside homes and staff members always identity themselves. For more information on how to spot staff click here.
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Rates & Billing FAQs
- How do I open a new account?
- How much does my water cost?
- Why is my water bill higher this month?
- How do I read my meter?
- When is my meter read?
- How do I know if I have a leak on my property?
- I had a major leak. Do you offer a credit for leaks?
- I am putting in a pool. Do you offer a credit for pool filling?
- How can I save money on my water bill?
- What is included in my water rates?
- What is the difference between Wholesale and Retail?
- Do you offer payment options?
- Why can't you bill me on the 1st of the month?
- What happens if I am late paying my bill?
- I enrolled in your online bill presentment option but can't view my bill.
How do I open a new account?
To open a new account, please call customer service at (916) 791-0115. We’ll be happy to assist you! Be prepared to provide the name and contact information for your title company. If you are a tenant, your landlord or property manager must call to authorize us to send a copy of the bill to the service address.
How much does my water cost?
On average, your tap water costs one penny for 17 gallons. If we sold our water in 20-ounce bottles, you could buy 111 bottles of water for just one penny! Compared with store-purchased bottled water, which can cost more than $1 for a 20-ounce bottle, your water is a great deal. We make it a priority to deliver high-quality water at a reasonable price.
Why is my water bill higher this month?
Water use fluctuates from season to season, which will cause the amount of your metered water bill to fluctuate. Outdoor landscaping and plants, for example, require a lot of water during the hot summer months, but need hardly any water during the winter.
If you notice a change in your water use that you don’t think is associated with a season change, you may have a leak.
How do I read my meter?
Reading your meter can be a great way to check for water leaks, but be careful! Spiders and snakes love meter boxes, so be sure to exercise caution and wear gloves.
- Read your meter from left to right, taking note of how your meter measures water use. Water meters are read in units of 100 cubic feet (CCF). 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.
- Record the number and check your meter again in 30 days. Subtract the first reading from the second to determine your water consumption for the past month. Multiply the recorded number by 748. This will tell you how many gallons you’ve used.
When is my meter read?
Meters are read every other month about every 60 days. Weekends and holidays may result in a 57-day to 63-day service period.
How do I know if I have a leak on my property?
To check for a leak, turn off all water-using devices inside and outside your home. Lift the small metal lid on top of your meter box. There is a leak-detecting dial on the face of your meter with a pointer inside it. If the pointer is moving, even slightly, and you do not have any water running, you could have a leak.
For help locating a water leak, call us at (916) 791‐2663. We’ll check your indoor and outdoor plumbing for potential leaks and provide suggestions for fixing them. Plus, we’ll tell you about other water-saving techniques.
I had a major leak. Do you offer a credit for leaks?
We offer a one-time credit for leaks within a single billing period. For more information or to apply for a credit, click here.
I am putting in a pool. Do you offer a credit for pool filling?
We do not offer a credit for filling a pool but you can easily calculate the cost of filling a pool if you know the capacity of your pool in gallons. For example, if your pool holds 30,000 gallons, simply divide by 748 to determine the number of units (1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons) of water and multiply the units by $0.73 (the highest tiered rate). In this example, it would cost $29.28 to fill your pool.
How can I save money on my water bill?
We offer a number of free programs and services to help you save water – and money.
What is included in my water rates?
San Juan Water District is a community services district and cannot charge more than the cost of providing service. Find out where your water dollar goes.
What is the difference between Wholesale and Retail?
The District sells large amounts of water to other retail agencies for delivery to their own customers. San Juan keeps a separate accounting of all revenue and expenses for each division so that our retail customers only pay for the cost to provide service to our retail service area. Our wholesale division sells water to the following agencies:
- San Juan Water District’s retail division
- Citrus Heights Water District
- Fair Oaks Water District
- Orange Vale Water Company
- City of Folsom (north of the American River)
- Sacramento Suburban Water District (periodically)
Do you offer payment options?
We have a variety of payment options to make paying your bill as effortless as possible. Click here for more information or to sign-up.
Why can’t you bill me on the 1st of the month?
Customers are billed on the first Wednesday of every other month. It is not cost-effective to offer a choice of billing dates. We bill approximately half of our customers in alternating months.
What happens if I am late paying my bill?
Bills are due within 21 days from the mail date. If we haven't received your payment by the 28th day, we mail a reminder notice. If payment has not been received by the 43rd day, a notice is delivered to your door with a $20 late charge applied to cover our cost of delivery. The late fee ensures that the costs are passed on only to those customers that receive a notice. If payment has still not been received by the 48th day, service is disconnected. All outstanding balances plus a $30 fee to reconnect service must be paid to restore service. This schedule works well with our billing software and staff schedules and meets legal requirements that apply to notice delivery and service disconnect.
I enrolled in your online bill presentment option but can’t view my bill.
You may not be able to use this online bill feature if you are using a Macintosh or other older system. If you have a slow Internet connection, your system may be timing out before your bill can be loaded. Lastly your internet browser or the browser plug-in (the third party application to allow the browser to view certain content) may not be compatible.
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