Where does San Carlos city water come from?
San Carlos buys its water from the California Water Service Company (Cal Water Co.). Most of the water comes from Sierra snowmelt and is stored in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Our water is delivered through a series of tunnels and pipes over 150 miles long. Most of San Carlos water does not come from the Crystal Springs Reservoir, to most people's surprise.

Where can I find my water main shut-off valve?
Look for the main valve where the water supply enters your house. Call Cal Water at (650) 343-1808 if you can't find it. After you locate the valve, you mark it with fluorescent paint or tape in case you have to find it in the dark.

Why is my water bill so high? I don't think I use that much water.
You might have a leak and not even know it. Locate your water meter--it's usually in a concrete box near the curb of your house. Read the meter first at night and then again in the morning before any water is used. Subtract the first from the second reading to determine if any water has leaked out overnight. If you don't have a leak, call Cal Water at (650) 343-1808 and ask them to look at your bill and check your meter. If you do have a leak, you should contact a plumber for repairs.

So I think I have a leak; what is the first place I should check?
Check your toilets--they are frequent sources of leaks. Drop dye tablets of food coloring in the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak that should be repaired.

My tap water smells or tastes funny. How can I find out about it?
Cal Water complies with all the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Health Services standards and regulations. Sierra water is disinfected with chlorine and undergoes filtration to greatly reduce the level of contaminants. Infrequent odd tastes and odors in water are usually caused by dissolved gases or minerals, and are typically not harmful. If you have any specific concerns, call Cal Water at (650) 343-1808.

Where can I get my tap water tested?
Cal Water tests our water annually and will gladly provide you a copy of their most recent test results at Cal Water, 1720 North First St., San Jose, CA 95112-4598, phone: (650) 343-1808.

Should I store water for emergencies? 
Yes! You should store one gallon per person in your family per day to at least three to five days. If you have four people in your family, that is 20 gallons of water put in storage. Use clean unbreakable containers, and disinfect the water before storing it. You can use tincture or iodine (12 drops per gallon) or chorine bleach (8 drops per gallon) as a disinfectant.

Does San Carlos city water have fluoride in it?
Yes, San Carlos does receive fluoridated water from Cal Water.

Does San Carlos city water have lead in it?
Cal Water does not deliver water that contains lead. However, some households acquire lead in their water due to the lead in older, soldered pipe joints.

How hard is San Carlos water?
San Carlos water has about 40 parts per million of calcium carbonate, which by most standards is considered "soft."