Water Services FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions regarding major topics that Phoenix Water Services deals with on a regular basis.
Customer Services Related FAQs
Customers who receive a shut-off notice from the City of Phoenix should call Customer Services at 602-262-6251 to pay the balance due on their City Services bill. Customers can use the 24/7 automated phone line to pay their bill. More information about shut-offs.
You can report water waste or a leak by calling 602-262-6251, during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and if you see a leak after hours, or it is an emergency, call 602-261-8000.
Water Resources and Conservation FAQs
We all have a responsibility to conserve our natural resources. The water we all share in Phoenix keeps our city, families and businesses thriving. With a little extra effort, water conservation can become a "Phoenix way of life." Efficient water use yields many benefits including time, money and energy savings.
Learning how to save water in your home and business is easy. The City has put easy-to-follow resources at your fingertips for outdoor and indoor savings
Yes. We are currently in a Stage 1 Drought Alert. Learn more about the drought. Here are some FAQs about the drought as well.
How much water a lawn needs varies from house to house and season to season. Factors that affect how much water should be used on grass include; the efficiency of the irrigation system, the type of soil at your home and the type of grass in your yard. We offer a wealth of information to assist with landscape watering. Phoenix offers a free guide, "Landscape Watering by the Numbers" which has information about proper watering. An online version is available at Water - Use It Wisely.
To save water, pool draining should be infrequent (every five years plus years). Keeping chemicals in balance helps you avoid wasteful dumping of water. However, when you must drain a pool follow City guidelines by discharging water into sewer cleanouts. There are also new technologies that will clean calcium and other contaminants from the water and recycle the water back into the pool. Information about these services is available at pool supply stores (contact a Valley pool professional for safe draining strategies).
Municipal parks, golf courses and open spaces provide Phoenix residents and visitors with opportunities for fun and recreation. State-of-the-art monitoring systems are being used, when possible, to ensure a high level of efficiency in irrigation watering.
Take advantage of neighborhood parks and open spaces as an opportunity to replace the maintenance of grass in your own home or business. You'll have more time for friends, family and visitors!
Each year Phoenix is required to publish an annual water quality report. Learn more about Phoenix's water quality or find a report.
Who do I call regarding bad taste, color odor or low water pressure?
Call Water Customer Services at 602-262-6251.
Visit the main Water Conservation and Resources page to learn more about our programs and additional information.
You can report water waste or a leak by calling 602-262-6251, during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and if you see a leak after hours, or it is an emergency, call 602-261-8000.
Water Quality FAQs
Stormwater Pollution Prevention FAQs
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks and streets don't allow rain water to be soaked into the ground. All the excess rain water which does not soak into the ground becomes stormwater runoff which discharges directly to rivers, washes and retention basins.
As stormwater flows over impervious surfaces, it picks up and carries pollutants (such as oils, chemicals, pet waste, etc.) to the storm sewer system and ultimately our rivers, washes and retention basins.
Some common pollutants which may be present in stormwater are sediment, oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, bacteria, and garbage.
You can help prevent stormwater pollution by using Best Management Practices (BMPs) and good housekeeping measures. For example, using drip pans to collect leaks from vehicles, use the sanitary cleanout for disposing of pool water, pick up pet waste from yard and dispose of properly and properly dispose of household chemicals at your local hazardous waste collection event.
Stormwater runoff does not go to a wastewater treatment plant. The City of Phoenix has two separate sewer systems, a sanitary sewer and storm drain sewer. The sanitary sewer takes wastes from toilets and sinks and delivers it to a wastewater treatment plant before discharging into the Salt River. The storm drain sewer takes all the stormwater runoff and goes untreated to rivers, washes and retention basins.
If you see someone dumping or illegally discharging to the storm drain, please contact the City of Phoenix Stormwater Hotline at 602-256-3190. The hotline is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week. All calls are anonymous. Please provide at a minimum where the location of the dumping/discharge occurred, date/time and any other additional information pertinent for the inspectors to follow-up with.
Under City Code Chapter 32C, pool water is not allowed to be discharged to the storm drains. Pool water should be discharged to your sanitary sewer cleanout or irrigation for plants. Please see How to Drain and Backwash Your Pool Legally for further information.
Do not dump any chemicals down the storm drains. You can dispose of your household chemicals at local hazardous waste pick-up locations. Please refer to the City's household hazardous waste page for date and location.
Your business can help prevent stormwater pollution by using Best Management Practices (BMPs) and good housekeeping measures. For example, sweeping, using covered storage areas for chemicals and materials and properly cleaning up and disposing of spilled materials.
Businesses (which are deemed to have "potential to pollute") and certain construction projects (one-acre or more area of land disturbed) are required under City of Phoenix Code Chapter 32C to have and implement a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP).