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Got questions about your water service? Find answers to frequently asked questions about Peoria's municipal water service on this page.

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

What is a Drought?
The term drought is used to describe 'an abnormally dry time period for a specific geographic area.' Like most of Arizona, Peoria has been in the grip of a serious drought for over 15 years. Yet water continues to flow to Peoria residents, and the City continues to grow economically. California is also experiencing drought, but municipal providers there have been ordered to cut back on water deliveries by 25%. Why the stark contrast? Because Peoria and Arizona have been planning for drought for years.

Like most of Arizona, Peoria has been in the grip of a serious drought for over 15 years. Yet water continues to flow to Peoria residents, and the City continues to grow economically. California is also experiencing drought, but municipal providers there have been ordered to cut back on water deliveries by 25%. Why the stark contrast? Because Peoria and Arizona have been planning for drought for years.
Will residents always get water first?
Municipal providers including Peoria have the highest priority for Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, one of the valley's primary sources of water delivered from the Colorado River via pump stations and the CAP canal.
Is water conservation working?
We are using less water per person, per household than we did 20 or 30 years ago. In fact, the average household in Peoria is using 15% less water today than they did 10 years ago.
How long do droughts last?
Above average snowfalls for several years can return our lakes to normal levels and provide years of renewable water supplies. We know that even during the longest drought, a year or more of average or above average precipitation can occur.
Will there be water restrictions because of drought?
Even with the significant growth and dry periods experienced by Peoria in recent decades, the City has not had to restrict your water usage due to supply shortages, and it doesn't expect to do so any time soon.
Is Peoria prepared for a drought?
Yes, we are prepared. Peoria has been planning and preparing for drought and water shortages for decades.
What is Peoria's Drought Management Strategy?
Peoria is preparing for the possibility of more prolonged and persistent drought scenarios by pursuing a strategy of storing enough water underground to carry the City through six years of potential water
shortages.
Why did the City turn my water off?
Your water may be turned off for one of the following reasons:
1. An emergency water leak or broken water main: In order to make the necessary repairs, the water may immediately be turned off to several homes. In the case of an emergency we do not always have time to notify everyone affected.
2. Non-payment of utility bill: If your payment is delinquent, the Finance Department will turn your water off. To restore services, contact Customer Service in the Finance Department at (623) 773-7160.
3. Scheduled water leak repair: We leave a flyer on your door, advising when the water will be turned off for repairs. The day of the repair, a member of our crew may knock on your door to give you a time frame. The office staff will also be notified, to keep the customers informed.
What causes low water pressure?
In most areas served by the City, the water pressure varies between 50 and 80 psi. During times of peak demand, the pressure may fall as low as 40 psi which is sufficient for most uses. To help the City during these high usage periods, monitor your usage and plan high flows such as watering lawn, filling pool and washing vehicles for other times of the day or night to help the City maintain a uniform demand on the system.
Why is my water cloudy?
Typically milky, cloudy water is the result of air in the water distribution system. The cloudiness are millions of tiny air bubbles that disappear in a matter of 2-3 minutes. As the bubbles surface to the top, the water becomes clear.
The water is brown, what's going on?
This may happen when a water leak has been repaired or a fire hydrant has been flushed in the area. Sediment is disturbed in the watermains resulting in the brown, rust color tap water. This colored water is not a health concern and can be eliminated by letting the water run for a few minutes until the water runs clear.
My water smells and tastes funny sometimes, is this safe?
A harmless unpleasant taste or smell may occur from algae that grow naturally in lakes, rivers and canals. Some odor may remain present, even after the water has been treated and filtered at the treatment plant. Chlorine, used for disinfecting the water, may also produce a harmless taste and odor. Other causes may be bacteria growing in your water heater if it has been sitting unused or corrosion in the water heater internal anode. The most common odor causing problem comes from the drain. Over time, soap, hair, and food can accumulate on the walls of the drain, creating bacteria that release sewer smelling gasses.
Why is the cold water coming out hot or warm?
This is a very common problem in the summer months; water pipes acclimate to the temperature around them, so when our temperatures get so high in the summer, the water pipes absorb heat from the ground around them and the temperature of the water also increases. The water will never be totally cold in the summertime because of the high temperatures.
Does the City of Peoria fluoridate its water?
The City of Peoria fluoridates its surface water supply treated and produced at its Greenway Water Treatment Plant. Additional surface water treated and provided to the City of Peoria by the City of Glendale is also fluoridated. Groundwater provided by the City of Peoria typically contains naturally occurring fluoride and is not fluoridated. As a public organization with a mission of protecting public health, we rely on, and actively monitor, national health and water industry associations to provide us with a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of fluoride and guidance on protecting public health. We believe that fluoride in drinking water when used at recommended levels is a safe practice which reduces tooth decay in the general population.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact one of our drinking water professionals at (623) 773-8467.
There always seem to be a water break around the City, why is this?
Most water breaks or leaks are due to older pipes, construction near pipes (vibration of machines), defective materials and poor workmanship. The City replaced aging water pipes a few years ago, reducing the number of breaks significantly.
What is the purpose of flushing fire hydrants, isn't that wasting water?
It's necessary to flush fire hydrants to maintain water quality. High velocity water helps to clean and scour the interior of the pipes. It flushes accumulated sediments out of the system, removes stale water and restores chlorine residual. It also ensures the operability of the fire protection system.
Who is responsible for sewer backups?
The problem may be in the City main sewer line, one of our Wastewater maintenance crews will determine this. If this is the case, the City of Peoria will make the necessary repairs and claims related to property damage will be referred to the Risk Management Division of the City Attorneys office. If the crew finds that the problem is in the sewer lateral which connects with the City sewer main, usually located in the street and the house, then they will advise the resident to call a plumber. The sewer lateral is owned and maintained by the property owner which includes all piping extending from the house to the City sewer main.
Is the City responsible for exterminating sewer roaches?
The City of Peoria has a contract with a local pest control business; as a preventative maintenance they treat 5000 of the City's manholes per year, each treatment is good for two years. If a customer calls with a roach complaint, a maintenance crew will be dispatched to the residence, if they find the manholes around the area need treating, they will contact the pest control company who will treat all the manholes in that quarter section of the city. It's a good idea to maintain your own pest control program; when coupled with the City's program, the presence of roaches will be greatly reduced.
Occasionally a foul odor comes out of the sink and tub drains, is this serious? How can I fix this problem?
In rare occasions the problem can be a serious plumbing flaw, but more often the problem can be solved easily. Check the water traps for water. They are the P shaped traps in the drain lines beneath sinks, tub and showers. The standing water in a trap serves as an excellent barrier against sewer gas. The water may have evaporated due to infrequent use, or the house being vacant. Pour a quart of water in each problematic drain; this is plenty of water to fill the traps and provide a full water seal.

Another source of odor is bacteria, dirt, grime, mold, etc. passing through the tailpipe on its way to the sewer. Often some is left behind and over time a thick layer of slime collects on the inside surface of this vertical pipe. Mold and bacteria grow and produce unpleasant odors. A small amount of household bleach poured into each drain will help neutralize any bacteria that may be present and causing odors. If problems persist, pipes can be taken apart and cleaned or replaced. As a last resort, a plumbing professional can quickly diagnose and fix the problem.
Where does Peoria water come from?
North of Beardsley, mostly Glendale Pyramid Peak which is Central Arizona Project (CAP) water. CAP is all Colorado River Water.
Beardsley to Bell is a mix of Pyramid Peak and groundwater.
South of and east of the New River is Greenway Water Treatment Plant water, which is on the Arizona Canal of Salt River Project SRP. It is a mix of Salt River, Verde River, CAP and groundwater. If west of the New River, you could have a mix of all the above.
South of Grand to 91st Ave. is a mix of Greenway and groundwater.
West of 91st, south of Grand & Olive is mostly groundwater.
Is Peoria water harder? Do I need to change the setting on my softener?
Yes, Greenway water is 13 grains hardness
Groundwater ranges from 2-8 grains hardness
Pyramid Peak is 17 grains
Can you please send me a 'will serve' letter?
Please send a description of where the property is located to engineering.counter@peoriaaz.gov. The description can be either a parcel number (or numbers) or a PDF of a map with the property clearly marked. Make sure that your phone number and address is included in the email. You will receive a response in approximately 1 week.
This letter is only a verification that the property is within the City of Peoria water and wastewater service boundary. This is not a 'capacity to serve letter' or 'sewer capacity letter'.
I am working on a project in your City and I need to obtain a Sewer Capacity Letter in order to submit for Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) review. Can you please let me know what I have to do to obtain this letter?
The sewer capacity letter is coordinated with the regular plan review done by the Engineering Department. This is the letter required for the Approval to Construct at the County.
Step 1 - The completed Approval to Construct (ATC) for MCESD is requested by the Engineering reviewer, typically during 2nd or 3rd review (at the discretion of the plans reviewer).
Step 2 - When requested, the Applicant should add the ATC Packet to their next Engineering submittal and it will be routed internally to Utilities.
Step 3 - Utilities will review the ATC Packet and contact the Applicant if there are any required revisions.
Step 4 - The signed ATC application (for water) and the Sewer Capacity letter (for Sewer) will be released to the Applicant through the Engineering Department when the entire Engineering review is completed.