Don’t get caught unprepared. When an emergency happens, be ready for the unexpected.
Are you ready?
The best way to weather an emergency is to prepare for it ahead of time.
On this page you’ll find tools and information to help you get ready for all kinds of water-related emergencies.
Be sure to bookmark this page and save or share the infographics and videos. It’s all here to help you Be Ready for the Unexpected.
Turning Off Your Water
Know how to turn off the water supply to your house during an emergency or when leaving on vacation. This can help you avoid water damage from leaking pipes, dripping water heaters, frozen pipes or other causes.
Know Your Pipes
Protecting, maintaining and repairing the pipes on your property can help you avoid damage from leaks and save you money on your water bill.
Boil Water Notice
In an emergency, water pressure may drop in your area or test results may show that the water isn’t safe to drink. Here are some ideas on how to safely use water during and after a boil water notice.
During a Boil Water Notice
When a boil water notice is issued and you need to use tap water, you must boil the water before: drinking it, making drinks, preparing food, brushing your teeth or making ice.
After a Boil Water Notice
After a boil water notice is lifted, here are the steps to flush the water lines and sanitize connected appliances.
Water Outage
A water main break or power failure may cause a water outage in some areas. But your life doesn’t stop. How can you take care of household needs without water service? Here are some ideas.
How To Flush
If you have no water service to your house and the toilet tank is empty, you can use not-so-fresh water to get the job done — from a pool, a bathtub, even melted snow. After all, it’s all going down the toilet anyway.
Freezing Weather
We are working to ensure freezing weather will never again affect your water service. But a freeze can still affect the pipes and appliances in your house. Here are some ways to look for problem areas around your home, and how to protect them.
Minimize Damage in a Freeze
Protect your home and property when temperatures dip below freezing. Use these tips to identify and protect areas that could be vulnerable to freeze damage.
Prepare & Protect Your Pipes
In very cold weather, ice can form in plumbing exposed to frigid air. Over time, this can cause the pipe to burst. Follow these tips to avoid the cost and inconvenience of frozen pipes.
Prevent Swimming Pool Damage
A pool is a big investment. Take these preventive steps to decrease or prevent freeze damage from cracked equipment or burst pipes that could save you money from costly repairs and replacements.
Other Water Issues
Water emergencies aren’t always caused by conditions outside your home. Here are some pointers for handling a personal water emergency on your own property.
Use Your Meter To Find Leaks
If you have an unusually high water bill and aren’t sure where all that water went, you can use the water meter to check for leaks.