Water Service Interruption
- Q: How long will my water be off?
- Q: Why are the water main and service being replaced?
Gas Service Interruption
- Q: How long will my gas be off?
- Q: How do I get my pilot lights relit?
- Q: Why does my gas service require replacement?
- Q: Why is the gas main being replaced?
- Q: Why is my gas meter being moved from the curb meter box at the sidewalk to the side of my house?
- Q: Will my home plumbing be affected during this main replacement project?
Wastewater Service Interruption
- Q: Will my sewer service be interrupted during construction?
- Q: Why isn't the lateral in my yard being replaced?
- Q: Why are crews working in my yard?
Water Service Interruption
Q: How long will my water be off?
A: Your water service will only be interrupted when the water service is transferred from the old to the new system. Water service transfer work could require interruption of your water supply for a maximum of six hours for any given construction work day in your area.
Q: Why are the water main and service being replaced?
A: As the City's existing water distribution system ages, it becomes necessary to replace water mains and other system parts on a cyclic basis. Replacement becomes necessary when the existing mains and services show extensive signs of corrosion, are subject to recurring breaks which cause extensive maintenance expenditures, or when the materials of construction prove to be inadequate. In very old water systems, some mains are inadequate and unable to supply the required flows and pressures for fire protection such as those identified in your area by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Engineering Division. This Capital Improvement Project (CIP) will bring your fire flow protection to today's standards and eliminate corroded pipe from our water distribution system.
Gas Service Interruption
Q: How long will my gas be off?
A: Gas Service will only be interrupted when your gas meter is transferred from the old system to the new system. During this meter transfer, a test is conducted to insure that your house plumbing is not leaking. Upon a successful test of your plumbing (verification that your internal house plumbing is not leaking), the gas meter technician will attempt to notify you by knocking on the door that he or she is ready to relight your appliances. If you are not at home, a tag will be left on your door indicating that the gas has been turned off. This notification will instruct you on how to contact Utilities Customer Service personnel who will come to your home to relight appliances. Customer service representatives are available 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by calling (650) 329-2579.
In normal operations, your gas service should not be interrupted for over one hour.
Q: How do I get my pilot lights relit?
A: Contact Utilities Customer Service at (650) 329-2579, 7 days a week, 24 hours per day. A staff person will respond to relight your appliances.
Q: Why does my gas service require replacement?
A: Materials used for natural gas piping age over time and are replaced as they reach the end of their design lives. Your gas service is constructed of materials that have been targeted for replacement. The material being installed for gas services is a medium density polyethylene (PE) pipe. This material has a service life exceeding 50 years.
Q: Why is the gas main being replaced?
A: In 1991 the City of Palo Alto City Council approved the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to replace a significant portion of the aging gas distribution system. This approval was based on the need to replace piping materials that were reaching the end of their design lives. Mains requiring high levels of maintenance were replaced first with the remainder of the targeted materials being entirely replaced by 2010.
Q: Why is my gas meter being moved from the curb meter box at the sidewalk to the side of my house?
A: Curb meters are no longer commercially manufactured. Due to this lack of available meters, the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department changed the policy to require all household gas meters to be placed next to residences. This relocation of the meter is beneficial for the homeowner, as you are no longer responsible for the piping from curb meter box to the home.
Q: Will my home plumbing be affected during this main replacement project?
A: Your home plumbing will not be affected unless your existing meter location does not meet current City standards. In the event that your gas meter must be relocated, the City or its Contractor will perform all associated work. You will receive notification stating that your meter requires relocation before the work is performed and your assistance will be required. The City will need access to your residence to perform all plumbing modifications required by the meter relocation. City Engineering and Inspection staff will coordinate the gas plumbing work with you to minimize any inconveniences.
Wastewater Service Interruption
Q: Will my sewer service be interrupted during construction?
A: Continuous sewer service will be maintained at all times during the construction. We ask that you minimize your water usage during construction, if possible. Although some inconvenience may be unavoidable, every effort will made to minimize the disruption caused by the construction activities.
Q: Why isn't the lateral in my yard being replaced?
A: In the City of Palo Alto, the City is responsible for the portion of the lateral within the City's Right-of-Way. This is usually from the property line or the cleanout to the sewer main in the street. The homeowner's responsibility is from the property line, usually just behind the sidewalk or cleanout, to the house.
Q: Why are crews working in my yard?
A: To access and tie into the existing lateral often requires some excavation behind the sidewalk. Typically the work is done within 5 feet of the property line. The Contractor will restore landscaping and surface materials as reasonably as possible.
