Water Resources Department

PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211

Hours of Operation

M-TH 7am-6pm
Closed Fridays & Holidays

Contact Information

Non-Emergency Questions
(480) 644-4444

Customer Service
Billing Questions
(480) 644-2221

Meter Reading & Service Questions

Water/Sewer Emergency
(480) 644-2262

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Water Resources

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To flush, or not to flush. Avoid messy sewer backups.

How can we help you?

When you turn on your faucet in Mesa, you can be confident that the water you receive is clean, safe and meets all state and federal drinking water standards. We also collect and treat wastewater to the highest standards at our water reclamation plants. Find out more about your Mesa water.

Publications

Digital Interactive Water Quality Report
Water Quality Report [pdf]
Water Shortage Management Plan [pdf]
Water Master Plan [pdf]
Waste Water Master Plan [pdf]
Strategic Plan 2017-2020 [pdf]
Water Resources Quick Facts [pdf]
How to Read Your Water Meter [pdf]

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FAQs

Does the city have service line insurance to cover breaks or blockages in water or sewer lines on my property?

No. However, the city has partnered with Service Line Warranties of America to provide this service. Please call 1-866-922-9006.
I have a question about a water reservoir. Who should I call?

Call (480) 644-2140.
How do I find out if county island property has city water and sewer service?

Contact the Development Services Department at (480) 644-4273.
Can I dispose of medication by running it down the drain or flushing it?
The short answer is no! Please don't! Why, you ask?
We have advanced technology to detect more substances and at lower levels than ever before.

Although these compounds are detected at very low levels in source waters, people expose themselves to these same compounds on a regular basis and in much higher concentrations through medicines, food and beverages, and other personal care products. Their impact on human health at these low levels has not been demonstrated. To protect the environment and your health, please keep these tips in mind:
- NEVER flush unneeded or expired medications down a toilet or drain, especially if you use a septic system.
- The Police Department has several MedReturn drop-off locations for unwanted prescription drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, etc.
- If you must place unused medications in the trash, alter the medications in some way. Opinions on altering medications vary – some believe the medications should be simply made unpalatable or undesirable to prevent accidental ingestion, while others believe they should be made totally unusable.
- If the medications will be placed in a landfill, they should be left in their original containers to reduce seepage, making sure all identifying information has been removed. Add something to the medication to make it unusable (kitty litter to liquid medications, glue to pills, or a small amount of disinfectant to any medication) or unpalatable (a small amount of water to pills or salt, flour, or a powdered spice like mustard or turmeric to liquid medications). Package in an obscure container such as an empty margarine tub or non-transparent bag and place it in the trash.
- Use products sparingly, completely, and according to label recommendations.
- Unneeded products are best disposed of by placing in a landfill. Leave products in their original containers.
- When purchasing new products, avoid unnecessary ingredients, such as scents or those labeled antimicrobial.
- Consider using products with ingredients that are more likely to biodegrade harmlessly in the environment, such as those with ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda.
  
  For more information about pharmaceuticals contact the Water Quality division at 480-644-6461.
  
  Informational Links:
  www.toxics.usgs.gov
  www.epa.gov
  www.swhydro.arizona.edu
How do I read my water bill?

Your utility bill is itemized for easy reading. Each billed utility service is listed by service type (i.e. electric, gas, water, solid waste, wastewater). The meter number, current and previous monthly reading, the date the meter was read for the current month and the charge for the service are all listed for your convenience. (The service type can be cross referenced to the current utilities rates for calculation of each individual service type based on consumption).

All transactions (payments, service charges, adjustments, etc.) completed within the monthly billing period are detailed on the billing statement by date completed or received. The time period covered by the billing statement, as well as the number of days in the billing period, are listed along with the due date for the current month bill.

If the statement in question is delinquent, the past due amount is listed as a separate line item from the current amount due. The daily average usage for the month is detailed with last years usage for comparison which could assist you in conservation efforts. For quick reference, your account number, bill payer name and service address are always listed along with Customer Service Operations telephone number at 480-644-2221 should you need assistance with any questions you may have concerning your utility billing statement.
How do I detect a water leak?

Water Leak Detection
Often customers are not aware they can check for water leaks using the water meter at their home or business. All newer water meters have a triangle leak detection hand on the meter face.

How to use the leak detection hand on the water meter
Locate the water meter. It will be either in the front of the property or in the back if an alley is present. Most new meters are in the front near the sidewalk or curb. The meter will be in a concrete or plastic box with a lid on it.

Remove the meter box lid and find the face of the water meter. Depending on the meter brand, the leak detection hand may be silver, black or red. If the triangle is showing any movement at all, a leak may exist. Customers with automatic pool fillers and evaporative coolers need to check and see if these are running water during the leak check.

The leak check only checks for leaks when no water is being used in the piping. Water leaks can still exist in landscape irrigation systems. These should be checked for proper operation when running.

To report a leak, call (480) 644-2262.
What is an industrial pretreatment permit?

A permit is a document issued by the City of Mesa Industrial Pretreatment Section (IPS) to regulate the types and concentrations of pollutants a facility may discharge into the City of Mesa wastewater collection system. A permit is only required for facilities that have a "process" wastewater discharge or a categorical process as defined by 40 CFR 403.
What does the city consider process wastewater to be?

The IPS considers "process" wastewater to be any water that, during a manufacturing or processing operation, comes into direct contact with, or results from the production or use of, any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product, or waste product.
What happens if I am operating without an industrial pretreatment permit?

All new facilities are required to complete surveys that IPS distribute to new businesses. Mesa's IPS performs site visits at facilities throughout Mesa, as required by Federal Law. If a facility is operating without a permit, it may be subject to civil and criminal actions. A facility may face enforcement actions if a preliminary survey is not submitted to the City of Mesa IPS. Once a survey is received, the City will determine if a permit is required, based on specific criteria.
How much does an industrial pretreatment permit cost?

Permits are free of charge. However, after a permit is issued, a facility may be assessed a monetary charge on a quarterly basis to compensate for monitoring costs. The amount is determined by the strength or volume of wastewater discharged.
What happens once an industrial pretreatment permit is issued?

Each permit is different, based on the type of operations performed at the particular facility. Once a permit is issued, the City of Mesa Industrial Pretreatment Section will perform a minimum of one compliance inspection per calendar year. Facilities that have a discharge will be required to implement self-monitoring.
What is backflow?

The City of Mesa's water distribution system is designed to keep the water flowing to the customer. However, when hydraulic conditions within the water distribution system deviate from "normal" flow patterns, water flow to the customer can be reversed. When this undesirable reversal of flow happens, contaminated water can enter the distribution system through a cross-connection.
What is a cross-connection?

A cross-connection is an actual or potential connection between potable* water plumbing to a non-potable pipe system, to water that has been discharged from the potable water plumbing not separated by an air gap, or any fluid or substance that originated from outside the potable water plumbing.

*Potable: Water from any source which has been investigated by the health agency having jurisdiction, and which has been approved for human consumption.
What are some examples of cross-connections?
- A swimming pool auto fill line
- A landscape sprinkler or drip system
- A decorative fountain that has an auto fill line
- A hose bib or any outlet that will accommodate the attachment of a hose
- Most fire sprinkler systems
- Plumbing connected equipment or apparatus
What causes backflow?

Backflow is caused by the presence of an unprotected cross-connection to the public water supply or a customer's potable water plumbing during a back-siphon or backpressure event.
What is back-siphonage?

Back-siphonage is a sudden reduction in the water pressure in the distribution system, such as during firefighting activities, or when a water main breaks, vigorous water main flushing events, electric power interruption, or distribution system equipment failure. These events may drastically lower distribution system pressure and create a suction effect. This can draw a non-potable substance or water that has been contaminated by contact with the environment into the potable water system through a cross connection.
What is backpressure?

Backpressure is created when pressure in a non-potable system, such as in a re-circulating system containing soap, acid, or antifreeze, exceeds that in the potable system that provides makeup water to the system. This can force the potable water to reverse its direction of flow through the cross connection. Non-potable substances can then enter the potable water system.
How can backflow be prevented?

Backflow can be prevented by the installation of backflow prevention assemblies, methods, or devices, such as: Air Gap (AG); Double Check Valve Assembly (DC); Reduced Pressure Principal Assembly (RP); Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVB); and Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker (SVB). A backflow prevention assembly is effective in the prevention of backflow only if installation criteria are strictly followed. The type of assembly needed is based on the degree of hazard to the potable water supply.
What is a backflow assembly?

A backflow assembly is an approved, testable assembly which uses valves, in different configurations, to prevent polluted or contaminated water from reversing direction and flowing backward into a customer's potable water plumbing or in the municipal water distribution system.
Who is required to have a backflow prevention assembly?

Any water customer with a cross-connection is required to install appropriate backflow protection. Federal and State laws require that water suppliers protect their water systems from contamination by requiring the installation and testing of appropriate backflow assemblies. Commercial and industrial customers and homes with dedicated landscape meters are required by City Ordinance and State Administrative Code rule R18-4-215 to install, test, and maintain backflow prevention assemblies. In addition, the City of Mesa has adopted the 2006 International Plumbing Code. This code specifies backflow requirements for water customers including all single family residences.
How do I know if I need a backflow prevention assembly?

If you maintain a cross-connection on your property, you must protect your family and neighbors, as well as other water customers, from a backflow event by isolating the cross-connection as required by code with a properly installed backflow assembly. Additional guidance to this end is provided on this website. Specific questions or concerns can be addressed by calling our Backflow Prevention/Cross Connection Control mailbox at (480) 644-6462.
I have access to auxiliary* water on my property. Do I need backflow protection?

Yes. Customers receiving auxiliary water must install a Reduced Pressure Assembly (RPA) backflow preventer on all potable water connections, including fire services.

*Auxiliary water is water not under the sanitary control of the City of Mesa Water Resources Department. For our definition, this will include: reclaimed water (treated wastewater); well water; impoundments containing raw, municipal or any other water; municipal water from another purveyor; grey water; or recycled rain water.
Who can install a backflow prevention assembly?

The installation of the backflow prevention assembly is the responsibility of the customer. The assembly may be installed by a property owner, plumbing contractor, or a general contractor, subject to the Rules and Statutes of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Permits are required to install these assemblies. Permits are issued by the City of Mesa.
Where should a backflow prevention assembly be located?

Generally, the backflow prevention assembly must be located as close as possible to the water service connection, but must remain on private property. Individual cross-connections must be isolated with a properly installed backflow assembly at the connection point to the potable water supply.
Who is responsible for the testing and maintenance of the backflow assembly?

It is the sole responsibility of the customer to ensure that the assembly is in satisfactory operating condition at all times. The City of Mesa Water Resources Department will send notices to regulated customers advising them when an annual test is required on their backflow assembly. The customer must contact a recognized Backflow Assembly Tester to perform the test. If any repair work or maintenance is performed on the assembly, a recognized Tester must retest the assembly immediately and submit the test results to the City of Mesa.
How do I find an approved Certified Tester?
The City of Mesa maintains a list of approved Backflow Assembly Testers. Due to the fact that prices vary among testers, you may want to call several Certified Testers to obtain quotes for your test.

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