Frequently Asked Questions

We are proud to share that your water meets or surpasses all State and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. These standards were set by the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Your drinking water contains no herbicides, pesticides, industrial solvents or bacterial pathogens.

Pay your bill in person at ACWD Headquarters Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. We accept cash, check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Alameda County Water District
43885 S. Grimmer Boulevard 
Fremont, CA 94538

Our Night Drop Box is located to the right of the front doors for after hour payments. We accept check and money orders. No cash, please.

The Alameda County Water District has a long-term financial obligation as a member of the State Water Project and collects a portion of its state water costs on the property tax bill. The amounts collected are adjusted each year based on the District’s state water costs. The State Water Project provides about 40% of the District’s water supply in a typical year.

ACWD offers multiple water conservation rebate programs to help you use water efficiently indoors and outdoors. For all program information, please visit acwd.org/rebates. 

To report water waste, please call ACWD Customer Service during regular business hours at (510) 668-4200. You may also use our online reporting form.

It is important to care for trees so that they survive through drought and beyond due to the multiple benefits they provide communities, such as improved air quality.

Customers are encouraged to prioritize water for trees. Watering trees gradually but deeply will ensure they survive. Trees are most efficiently watered by hand or using a bubbler or drip irrigation system, and should be on a separate valve than the surrounding vegetation, especially if planted in a lawn area. The frequency and amount of water needed will depend on whether the tree is young and needs to be established or if it is mature, and whether it is a low, medium, or high water use species. Please add a layer of mulch around the root zone of the tree carefully avoiding the base of the trunk to lower soil temperatures and reduce the amount of water that evaporates.

 Resources with specific tips on how to care for and water your tree efficiently:

• Canopy Tree Watering Guidelines for Your Specific Type of Tree
• Canopy Tips for Caring for Young Trees 
• Canopy Tree Library for Choosing the Right Tree to Install
• ACWD Water Conservation Tips for Your Landscape
• Save Our Trees Website
• Save Our Water – Helping Your Trees Survive the Drought

ACWD prohibits irrigation runoff so we recommend using a cycle and soak method when irrigating to avoid runoff. A cycle and soak method uses shorter, more frequent cycles of irrigation in one day versus one long runtime.

To determine the time you should water for a cycle and soak method, run your irrigation system until you start to see signs of runoff (e.g. water overflowing from landscape onto sidewalk). Then, turn off your irrigation and let the landscape soak for 1 hour and repeat the process 2-3 times. Note the time it takes to begin seeing runoff – anything applied beyond this time during a single watering event is wasted. 

For an extensive list of water efficient tips and techniques for different types of landscape, check out ACWD’s Survival Tips for Your Landscape resource. See below for some key recommendations:

• Irrigate early in the morning (before 10:00 a.m.), to minimize evaporation 
• Existing irrigation systems should be evaluated and repaired to minimize leaks and evaporation and increase water use efficiency 
• Water used outdoors should be prioritized for trees 
• Use of drought tolerant plant species wherever possible when replacing or renovating existing landscapes, and at all new landscape installations 
• Use non-potable water from rainwater capture and/or graywater systems for landscape irrigation where possible (do not use in vegetable gardens or consumable plants) 
• Installation of new landscaping should utilize best known irrigation and horticultural practices for efficient water use 

We are mindful of the role climate change has played in these unprecedented periods of drought and our need to adapt to a new climate future, one in which California will experience more frequent and potentially more severe droughts. One of the first restrictions that are adopted during periods of drought are restrictions on outdoor irrigation (e.g. number of days per week  irrigation is allowed for functional lawns). You can prepare your landscape and be drought-ready by converting lawns to water-efficient landscape.

ACWD encourages customers to install water-efficient landscapes and provides a rebate to customers that replace existing lawns with this type of landscape. There are many benefits to installing water-efficient landscape rather than a new lawn:

1. Water-efficient landscapes are designed to survive dry year conditions and so you can have a thriving landscape year-round and as the climate fluctuates. 
2. Water-efficient landscape require significantly less water than a lawn and could reduce your water bill. 
3. You may be eligible to receive a rebate if you have a lawn and replace it with a water-efficient landscape. Please visit acwd.org/rebates to determine if your lawn qualifies for our water-efficient landscape rebate program or contact the Water Use Efficiency Team at 510-668-4218.

While artificial turf requires less water than a natural turf lawn, there are healthier and more ecologically sound alternatives. In addition to saving water, low water use plants and permeable landscape material meet additional sustainability goals that artificial turf and concrete do not:  

1) Artificial turf and concrete are not a living landscape and do not increase biodiversity of plant, animal, and insect populations. 

2) Artificial turf has potential environmental concerns. It is synthetic material that will have to be replaced in 10-20 years due to wear and tear, so it will eventually end up in a landfill. 

3) Artificial turf is not water free. It needs to be cleaned with water and potentially with chemicals. This raises the concern of chemical pollutants from the cleaning materials, and potentially from the artificial turf itself, polluting surface water and groundwater in the runoff.

4) Artificial turf and concrete can get significantly hotter than surrounding air temperatures and contribute to the heat island effect by increasing air temperatures in urban settings. 

Yes, voters required the addition of fluoride in the early 1970’s and ACWD began fluoridating drinking water in 1976.

Naturally occurring minerals (primarily iron and manganese) in the drinking water are the major causes of water discoloration. These minerals may not pose health risk to people, however, some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population such as immunocompromised persons, some elderly, and infants. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

During such discolored water episodes, your water continues to meet or surpass all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. ACWD cleans its water mains annually to remove sediment, which helps to minimize discolored water episodes. 

For further details regarding this program, visit the District's Main Cleaning Program page.

The projects along Alameda Creek will allow steelhead trout and other threatened/endangered fish species to more easily and safely migrate upstream and downstream. At the same time, they will allow us to maintain reliable water supplies for residents and businesses in Fremont, Newark, and Union City.

The Main Renewal and Seismic Improvement Program is part of the Alameda County Water District’s (District) commitment to delivering reliable drinking water supplies to more than 356,000 people living and working in Fremont, Newark and Union City. The Main Renewal and Seismic Improvement Program will help improve water supply reliability for ACWD customers in the event of a major earthquake and will reduce service interruptions due to aging pipelines. Generally, pipelines have a lifespan of about 75 years, but the risk of a pipeline’s failure increases in proportion with its age. With twenty percent of the District’s pipelines installed before 1960, and the oldest pipelines placed underground in the 1940s, this project represents a major infrastructure improvement for more than 84,000 customers who depend upon reliable water supplies. Proactive pipeline upgrades protect the District and its customers from expensive fixes caused by leaks in the system.

The District is prioritizing construction sites in order of risk and project complexity within the overall program budget. Generally, pipelines that have the highest risk of failure in the event of a major earthquake will be prioritized and undergo construction first, as supplemented by smaller, generally less complex projects to meet program budgetary goals. An up-to-date construction schedule can be found online at www.acwd.org/MRSUP.

All of ACWD’s construction activities must comply with specific permit requirements and must take into account weather conditions and safety precautions. The staggered nature of the construction helps the District maintain reasonable working hours and reduce inconveniences to the public associated with very early and very late construction working hours.

The residents and businesses of Fremont, Newark, and Union City who, as ratepayers, contribute to these projects. We want to ensure our customers are aware of how their rate dollars are being used to improve water supply reliability and protect public health and safety.
The costs for these projects are being funded in two ways:
• Project costs have been factored into existing rate structures.
• In 2012 ACWD successfully issued $45.2 million in Water Revenue Bonds to restructure existing debt at reduced interest rates and to help finance critical capital projects. By doing so, we are able to make investments in infrastructure while leveraging the District’s excellent AAA bond rating and take advantage of historic low interest rates.

The District is requiring its contractors to ensure that construction traffic is managed effectively and that truck traffic follows posted speed limits. We will have inspectors evaluating the project sites to ensure that rules are enforced and will address any issues that arise.

The District will ensure its contractors take precautions to ensure safety during construction, including installing barriers along construction routes, restricting travel speeds and implementing construction safety monitoring during all work. The District will provide project oversight and review during every stage of construction to ensure safety and design requirements are met, including the avoidance of gas lines and other pipelines. In the event of an emergency, the District will implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety of surrounding residents, businesses and construction crews.

The District is committed to monitoring and ensuring water quality standards at all times. During construction, water pipelines may need to be temporarily isolated to accommodate improvements. This action may cause reverse flows in the pipeline, causing iron and manganese sediment lying on the bottom of the pipeline to be stirred up, resulting in discolored water. However, water will remain safe to drink and continue to meet all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. If your drinking water becomes discolored, avoid using your washing machine and dishwasher until the water clears. Please visit ACWD’s website at www.acwd.org to learn how to flush the pipes in your home to remove the discoloration.

ACWD has conducted a full inventory of all customer service lines and has identified the material types for those services.  Please visit https://acwd.org/LeadServiceLineInventory  to find out more information about the service line inventory program and to access the Interactive Map to look up the material status of water services line to your home.

Since the 1990s ACWD has been proactively monitoring and adjusting the water quality, specifically pH, at our treatment plants daily so the water is not corrosive to household pipes and plumbing fixtures. In the drinking water industry, this is called a Corrosion Control Program. While some other water utilities need to add corrosion inhibitors to their water, ACWD’s testing has demonstrated that making adjustments to the water’s pH forms a beneficial scale on the inside of pipes. This scale is a physical barrier between any lead that may be in the household pipes or plumbing fixtures and the water, and it prevents the lead from getting into your water.

The results of our 2024 testing demonstrates that our Corrosion Control Program is effective. Every three years we work with at least 50 homeowners to collect a water sample from inside their homes. These samples are considered to be worst-case scenario because they are collected after the water has been still for at least 6 hours (so the water is in contact with the household plumbing for a long time), and the home’s plumbing was in place before the 1986 lead ban (so the plumbing is more likely to have lead). These samples are analyzed by our State-certified laboratory and results are reported to the California Division of Drinking Water, our Board of Directors, the public, and most importantly the homeowners who collected samples.

As part of our compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule, these results are compared to the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). ACWD is in compliance with the Lead Action Level because 90% or more of our samples are below the 15 ppb Action Level. In 2024, 90% of our samples were below the detection limit of 5 ppb of lead.  New revisions and improvements to the Lead and Copper Rule have reduced the lead action level to 10 ppb and will require ACWD to develop a new program for collecting samples; sampling under this new program is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028.

Even with an effective Corrosion Control Program in place, customers may choose to take steps on their own to further minimize the potential for lead in drinking water, including:

- Use only water from the cold water tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula.

- Run the water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula. This water is great to use for watering plants!

- Consider using a certified water filter to remove lead. Be sure to check that it is certified for lead removal.

- Replace old plumbing or fixtures that may have lead. Lead pipes will have a dull gray look and can easily be scratched by a key.

ACWD does not test customer's water for lead on a regular basis. However, select homes are tested for our Lead and Copper Rule compliance every three years. Although testing has concluded for 2024, we will be testing again in 2027 and 2028. You can have your water tested by any state-certified lab.  ACWD provides as a courtesy to its customers a list of local state-certified commercial laboratories. Please click the link below to be taken directly to the list. 

1. American Water Works Association information on lead in drinking water: https://drinktap.org/Water-Info/Whats-in-My-Water/Lead-In-Water
2. Center for Disease Control information about lead in drinking water: https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/about/index.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm  
3. US Environmental Protection Agency information about lead: https://www.epa.gov/lead  
4.  American Academy of Pediatrics information about children and lead in drinking water:  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/lead-exposure-and-children-faqs-for-families.aspx

The Alameda County Water District (ACWD) is investing in the future of our community by installing Advanced Metering Infrastructure, more commonly known as AMI. This new technology allows water meters to be read remotely for faster leak detection, an increase in customers’ ability to monitor, analyze, and compare consumption data from our user-friendly My Smart Water Connect web portal, and creates an overall improved customer experience.

AMI allows water meters to be read remotely so customers can:

• Detect potential leaks early

• Reduce surprise water bills

• View up-to-date water usage

This new tool supports customers’ water efficiency efforts and reduces the agency’s carbon footprint with fewer trucks on the road since water meters will soon be read remotely instead of manually once every two months. Together, through the use of this smart technology, we can work toward achieving ACWD’s water conservation goals and improve water supply reliability for our community while saving money through operational efficiencies. 

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin. Here’s what you should know about the installation process:

• Notifications: You’ll receive a letter at your home or business informing you about the installation a few weeks in advance.

 You will also receive two notifications on your doorknob about your meter installation:

○ First Notice: Within 10 working days in advance of the installation

○ Second Notice: Once the work is completed

We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter.

• Our Installation Team: ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) to perform these upgrades. You will recognize them because of their neon green ACWD/PMI uniforms and photo ID badges. Installers will also carry a letter to authenticate their work on the project.

• CDC Guidelines Followed: The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same.The installers are following local, state, and CDC guidelines by performing daily health screenings, maintaining social distancing, and wearing proper personal protective equipment, that includes face masks, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

• Clear a Path: Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. If the installer must move objects to gain access to the meter box, they are not obligated to return them to their original position(s). Please trim any overgrown landscaping near your water meter box to provide easy installer access.Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. 

• Temporary Water Stoppage: During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated. Water at your residence will be temporarily turned off — for no more than one hour unless otherwise communicated — for the installation of the AMI device. No further action is required from you. 

• Flush Out Your Pipes Post-Upgrade: Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Consider capturing this water and use it for watering plants.

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin.

Letters Sent to Residential Customers: You’ll receive a letter at your home informing you about the installation a few weeks in advance. Here’s what you should know about the installation process:

• Notifications:

You will also receive two notifications on your doorknob about your meter installation:

○ First Notice: Within 10 working days in advance of the installation

○ Second Notice: Once the work is completed

We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter or if a customer side leak is detected. While the third notice is unlikely if your water meter is easily accessible and no issues are found, you will recognize it because it will include information about why your installation needs to be rescheduled as well as a toll-free number to call to reschedule once the issue has been addressed.

• Our Installation Team: ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) to perform these upgrades. You will recognize them because of their neon green ACWD/PMI uniforms and photo ID badges. Installers will also carry a letter to authenticate their work on the project. 

• CDC Guidelines Followed: The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same.The installers are following local, state, and CDC guidelines by performing daily health screenings, maintaining social distancing, and wearing proper personal protective equipment, that includes face masks, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

• Clear a Path: Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. If the installer must move objects to gain access to the meter box, they are not obligated to return them to their original position(s). Please trim any overgrown landscaping near your water meter box to provide easy installer access.Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. 

• Temporary Water Stoppage: During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated. Water at your residence will be temporarily turned off — for no more than one hour unless otherwise communicated — for the installation of the AMI device. No further action is required from you. 

• Temporary Water Discoloration: Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Capture this water and use it for watering plants. 

Letters Sent to Business Customers: You’ll receive a letter at your business informing you about the installation a few weeks in advance. You may also receive a letter because your facility or place of business needs to schedule an appointment to perform these upgrades within two weeks of receiving this notice. Please call (844) 280-6521 to schedule an upgrade appointment. What you need to know to help us work together to ensure and easy and effective upgrade: 

• Our Installation Team: ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) to perform these upgrades. You will recognize them because of their neon green ACWD/PMI uniforms and photo ID badges. Installers will also carry a letter to authenticate their work on the project.

• CDC Guidelines Followed: The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same. The installers are following local, state and CDC guidelines, by performing daily health screenings, maintaining social distancing, and wearing proper personal protective equipment, that includes face masks, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Identify Installer Contact: Water meters can be located in sprinkler rooms, utility closets, mechanical rooms, warehouse floors or even office spaces, which is why it is beneficial to have someone familiar with the mechanical systems in the building meet with the installers.

• Clear a Path: Please keep a clear path to and around the meter, so the installers can easily access the meter and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. Please trim any overgrown landscaping near the water meter box to provide easy installer access.

• Temporary Water Stoppage: During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated. Water at your facility will be temporarily turned off — for no more than one hour unless otherwise communicated — for the installation of the AMI device. No further action is required from you.

• Temporary Water Discoloration: Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Capture this water and use it for watering plants.

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin.

Notice Informing You Installation is Coming: This first doorknob tag is to inform you that your water meter will be upgraded or replaced within the next ten days. Here’s what you need to know:

• Our Installation Team: ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) to perform these upgrades. You will recognize them because of their neon green ACWD/PMI uniforms and photo ID badges. Installers will also carry a letter to authenticate their work on the project.

• CDC Guidelines Followed: The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same.

• Clear a Path: Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. If the installer must move objects to gain access to the meter box, they are not obligated to return them to their original position(s). Please trim any overgrown landscaping near your water meter box to provide easy installer access.

• Temporary Water Stoppage: During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated.

• Temporary Water Discoloration: Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Capture this water and use it for watering plants.

Notice Informing You Installation is Complete: This second doorknob tag is to inform you that your water meter has been successfully installed or upgraded. Here’s what else you need to know:

• AMI is Convenient: An easy-to-use online portal is coming later this year to ACWD.org that will allow you to view up-to-date water usage at any time throughout the billing cycle and detect potential leaks early

• AMI is Good for the Environment: Not only will the new technology support customers’ water efficiency efforts, but it will also reduce the carbon footprint of ACWD with fewer trucks on the road. 

Together, through the use of this smart technology, we can work toward achieving ACWD’s water conservation goals and improve water supply reliability for our community while saving money through operational efficiencies.

Notice Informing You to Reschedule Your Installation: We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter or if other issues are detected. This notice is informing you of the reason why your water meter was inaccessible at the time of installation. We ask that you reschedule your appointment by calling our toll-free installation phone number: (844) 280-6521 once the issue is addressed.

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin. Here’s what you can expect::

• Notifications: You will also receive two notifications on your doorknob about your meter installation:

○ First Notice: Within 10 working days in advance of the installation

○ Second Notice: Once the work is completed

We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter.

Our Installation Team: ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) to perform these upgrades. You will recognize them because of their neon green ACWD/PMI uniforms and photo ID badges. Installers will also carry a letter to authenticate their work on the project.

CDC Guidelines Followed: The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same.

Clear a Path: Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. If the installer must move objects to gain access to the meter box, they are not obligated to return them to their original position(s). Please trim any overgrown landscaping near your water meter box to provide easy installer access.

Temporary Water Stoppage: During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated. • Temporary Water Discoloration: Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Consider capturing this water and use it for watering plants.

In order to bring you these new AMI services and capabilities, your current water meter will need to be upgraded to one that it is AMI compatible. Many of the meters we have in service now are nearing the end of their useful life and will need to be replaced in the coming years anyway. By replacing them with AMI compatible meters, we can enhance current customer service offerings and make available new and enhanced services like leak alerts, timely usage measurements and usage alerts to reduce surprise water bills.

The implementation of AMI technology will help the District continue to improve the cost-effectiveness and value of District services. Additionally, ACWD is committed to outstanding customer service and promoting open communication with our customers, and AMI technology will further improve our ability to do just that. The District also has a long-standing commitment to stewardship of water resources and the environment, and AMI technology will also advance that tradition by further reducing the environmental impacts of our operations. Together, through the use of this smart technology, we can work toward achieving ACWD’s water conservation goals and improve water supply reliability   for our community while saving money through operational efficiencies.

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin.

You’ll receive a letter at your home or business informing you about the installation a few weeks in advance

You will also receive two notifications on your doorknob about your meter installation:

• First Notice: Within 10 working days in advance of the installation

• Second Notice: Once the work is complete

We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter.

• Please trim any overgrown landscaping near your water meter box to provide easy installer access.

• Please keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time. If the installer must move objects to gain access to the meter box, they are not obligated to return them to their original position(s).   

• Your water service will be temporarily turned off — for no more than one hour unless otherwise communicated — for the installation of the AMI device. If you have a water-dependent device, such as a recirculation pump, you will need to turn it off before your upgrade to avoid possible damage. 

• If you have tenants associated with this billing address, please notify them.

A smart home water monitoring device is a great tool and can typically record water use at 1-minute intervals and be seen in real time in an app. The new AMI meter upgrade you will receive monitors use at 15-minute intervals and data is available the next day in the ACWD My Smart Water Connect customer portal and mobile app. This is the main difference between the two devices. However, as of now, some smart home water monitoring devices, such as the Flume, are not compatible with the ultra-sonic meters that ACWD is installing as part of the AMI upgrade.

 You will need to remove your smart home water monitoring device prior to the AMI upgrade. You will receive a door hanger within 10 working days before the installers arrive to upgrade the meter. If you do not remove your smart home water monitoring device beforehand, ACWD’s contractor will leave a door hanger indicating they cannot access the meter and request that you call the Installation Hotline: (844) 280-6521 to let our installation partners know when the device has been removed.

No. You will be notified before and after the AMI meter is installed, but you don’t need to sign-up to receive the new meter. However, we do ask that once you receive a letter in the mail informing you about the installation that you keep a clear path to and around the meter box, so the installers can easily access and upgrade the meter within a reasonable amount of time.

If you require planned water disruption, or any further assistance, please call the Installation Hotline: (844) 280-6521.    

Upgrading your water meter may cause temporary air in your pipes and water discoloration. Your water remains safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety. Please run cold water from a fixture without a screen for about 30 seconds to flush it out. Consider capturing this water and use it for watering plants.

Locally, Dublin San Ramon Services District, City of Pleasanton, City of Hayward, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and many others have adopted AMI technology in recent years. Hundreds of utility districts across North America have adopted AMI technology for their meter infrastructure needs. This technology has been approved for use in California since 2006 and has become the standard for water meter reading technology.

There is no additional cost to customers for upgrading our meters. The AMI improvements have been fully budgeted in the District’s long term financial plan. Furthermore, because meters that can be read remotely greatly reduce vehicle and other expenses, the District expects the AMI improvements to save money over the long term. Together, through the use of this smart technology, we can work toward achieving ACWD’s water conservation goals and improve water supply reliability for our community while saving money through operational efficiencies.

Yes. Preserving the security of our customers’ data and personal information is one of ACWD’s top priorities. The AMI system will feature advanced encryption technologies that will keep your data safe.

Yes. As your neighbor, ACWD takes great pride in providing safe drinking water to the communities we serve. The District would never undertake a project that could be harmful to the health or privacy of the members of our community and we will do everything in our power to ensure that this project is no different.

Yes. The District has evaluated AMI and found that the return on investment will save money for the District over time while also enhancing the value and customer service the District provides. Together, through the use of this smart technology, we can work toward achieving ACWD’s water conservation goals and improve water supply reliability for our community while saving money through operational efficiencies.

Many of our meters are approaching the end of life and are not AMI compatible, so we will be upgrading the meters at these locations. The AMI device will attach to the meter in the meter box and be mounted to the underside of a new lid that will be installed as part of the meter replacement project.

The AMI technology employs a device that utilizes the cellular network, just like your mobile phone and also found in televisions and wireless home phones. This technology allows meters to be read remotely giving customers daily access to their water consumption data. Not only do the AMI device’s radio frequency (RF) waves fall below the level of what is recommended by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), they are also less powerful than any mobile phone. Additionally, the AMI technology inside your water meter is located outside your house, which reduces contact with the RF waves.

ACWD has partnered with Badger Meter and Professional Meters, Inc (PMI) to install the AMI devices. PMI has successfully installed more than 1 million integrated meters, just like the ones you will be receiving, and are highly skilled at the installation process.

The PMI installation team will carry a letter for our customers that will explain their work on the new meters. The PMI and ACWD Advanced Meter logos will be on their uniforms, badges, and on their trucks. You will be able to recognize the PMI installation team, as they will wear a distinct uniform that includes a:

•  Neon green T-shirt with the PMI logo and the ACWD Advanced Metering logo
•  PMI badge displaying the ACWD Advanced Metering logo and including

• Their name;
• Photo;
• Issue Date;
• And a number to call to confirm their identity.

ACWD is partnering with Badger Meter and Professional Meters, Inc. (PMI) to install the AMI devices. PMI will hire up to 30 Bay Area-based installers for this project, bringing jobs to the region. Customers will recognize them because of their neon green uniforms and trucks with PMI/ACWD logos. Installers will also carry a photo ID badge and letter to authenticate their work on the project. The installers are following all federal, state, and county local, state and CDC guidelines as well as local regulations, and we ask our customers to please do the same.

ACWD commenced successfully upgrading AMI technology at homes and businesses in March 2021, and anticipates completing the roll out to all 86,000+ homes and businesses in May 2024. We will be communicating with our customers throughout the installation process to provide updates, especially when installation is about to begin.

During the one-hour installation process, installers will need to shut off the water — one home at a time. No one’s water will be shut off for more than an hour unless otherwise communicated.

You’ll receive a letter at your home or business informing you about the installation a few weeks in advance.

You will also receive two notifications on your doorknob about your meter installation:

• First Notice: Within 10 working days in advance of the installation

• Second Notice: Once the work is completed

We may also leave a third notice on your doorknob to reschedule your installation if our installation team has trouble accessing your meter.

You may also see one of our quality control technicians during or after installation. We’ve partnered with Utility Partners of America UPA) to inspect our installation and ensure it meets our standards. Like installers, the quality control technician will carry a badge and letter to authenticate their work on the project.

Your AMI meter could not be installed due to a pre-existing customer plumbing leak. As it was found to be customer side, it is your responsibility to fix the leak before installation can take place. ACWD’s Board of Directors adopted an Ordinance Prohibiting Wasteful Use of Water, ORDINANCE NO. 2008-01 (Ordinance) which was adopted by ACWD’s Board to conserve the District’s water supply and eliminate the wasteful use of water, especially critical due to the drought. Under this Ordinance leaks are required to be repaired as soon as possible. ACWD can invoke the enforcement process under this Ordinance for non-compliance with the Ordinance. Once the leak has been fixed and you are ready for installation, please call our Installation Hotline: (844) 280-6521.

More information, including meeting details and how to take our survey, can be found at ACWD.ORG/AMI.  The AMI Project Team provided a Virtual Community Informational Meeting on November 16, 2021.  In case you weren't able to join us, but are interested in learning more:

• ­­Here's the link to the Presentation Material.
• Here is the link to a recording of the Presentation.

If you require planned water disruption, or any further assistance, please call the Installation Hotline: (844) 280-6521.

Please contact Benjamin Egger, P.E., AMI Project Manager, at (510) 668-4482.

A PHG is the level of a chemical contaminant in drinking water that does not pose a significant risk to health.  PHGs are not regulatory standards.  However, state law requires the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to set drinking water standards for chemical contaminants as close to the corresponding PHG as is economically and technologically feasible.  In some cases, it may not be feasible for SWRCB to set drinking water standard for a contaminant at the same level as the PHG.  The technology to treat the chemicals may not be available, or the cost of treatment may be very high.  SWRCB must consider these factors when developing a drinking water standard.

For more information, view OEHHA's website.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals.

For more information, view EPA's website.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration.  MCLs are enforceable standards.

For more information, view EPA's website.

PFAS are manmade compounds that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, electronics, personal hygiene products, and other materials (e.g., cookware) designed to be waterproof, stain-resistant, or non-stick. Of particular interest are six compounds Perfluorooctanoic Acid, more commonly referred to as PFOA, Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA), and Hexafluoropropylene Oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid (HFPO-DA) and its Ammonium Salt (together known as “GenX chemicals”).  While PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS have notification levels issued by the State of California, on April 10, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) set drinking water standards (known as maximum contaminant levels) for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and GenX chemicals in drinking water.

In recent years people have become more familiar with the term PFAS. Although awareness of these manmade chemical compounds is recent, PFAS have been in wide use since the 1940s.

Used in many consumer and industrial products for their ability to repel stains, water, and oil, PFAS are persistent in the environment and do not readily degrade.  They also are prevalent in many items we encounter daily – inside and outside the home. While items imported from outside the United States may contain PFAS, its use is being phased out in the US.  

• PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS are man-made compounds that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, electronics, personal hygiene products, and other materials (e.g., cookware) designed to be waterproof, stain-resistant, or non-stick.
• PFOA and PFOS were also used for firefighting at airfields and in several industrial processes.
• PFNA is similar, in function and use, to PFOA.    It is mainly used in the non-stick, stain repellent, and chemically inert coatings.
• PFBS has been identified in the environment and consumer products, including surface water, dust, carpeting and carpet cleaners, floor wax, and food packaging.
• HFPO dimer acid and its ammonium salt are also known as “GenX chemicals” because they are the two major chemicals associated with the GenX processing aid technology. GenX chemicals are used to make high-performance fluoropolymers (such as Teflon) without the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
• PFAS are persistent in the environment and do not breakdown easily.

According to the US EPA, there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. If humans, or animals, ingest PFAS (by eating or drinking food or water than contain PFAS), the PFAS are absorbed, and can accumulate in the body. PFAS stay in the human body for long periods of time. As a result, as people get exposed to PFAS from different sources over time, the level of PFAS in their bodies may increase to the point where they suffer from adverse health effects.

Studies indicate that PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects, and decreased thyroid hormone levels in laboratory animals.  The most consistent findings from human epidemiology studies are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to:

• infant birth weights,
• effects on the immune system,
• cancer (for PFOA), and
• thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS and PFBS).
• effects on kidneys (PFBS and HFPO-DA)
• growth and development in fetuses, infants, and young children (PFHxS)
• increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (PFNA)
• possible liver damage (HFPO-DA)

In August 2019, the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) set the customer Notification Level of 5.1 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 6.5 ppt for PFOS, and in February 2020, set new Response Levels of 10 ppt for PFOA and 40 ppt for PFOS. In March 2021, DDW issued the notification level and response level for PFBS of 500 ppt and 5000 ppt, respectively.  In October 2022, DDW issued the notification level and response level for PFHxS at 3 ppt and 20 ppt, respectively.

A notification level is a nonregulatory, precautionary health-based measure for concentrations of chemicals in drinking water that warrant notification and further monitoring and assessment.

A response level is a nonregulatory, precautionary health-based measure that is set higher than a notification level and represents a recommended level that water systems consider taking a water source out of service or provide treatment if available to them.

In March 2019, the DDW began a state-wide PFAS investigation and issued orders to approximately 200 water utilities throughout California to test groundwater wells that are in close proximity to fire training/fire response sites (e.g., airfields), industrial sites, landfills, and/or wastewater treatment plants for PFAS. Since ACWD groundwater sources are not located in close proximity to potential sources of contamination, ACWD was not issued orders to monitor for PFOA, PFOS, or PFBS by DDW.  

Furthermore, Assembly Bill 756 that took effect on January 1, 2020, authorized the State Board to more broadly order water systems to monitor for PFAS and report their detections. Again, ACWD was not issued an order under the Assembly Bill. However, ACWD began voluntary monitoring of PFAS in June of 2020, at which time low levels of PFAS were detected in local groundwater sources.

In October 2022, DDW issued monitoring orders to numerous water agencies, including ACWD, to monitor all groundwater sources effective January 1, 2023.  The provisions of the Order are similar to the voluntary monitoring program that ACWD began in June 2020.  ACWD will continue to monitor sources on a quarterly basis.

On April 10, 2024, EPA set new limits on select PFAS compounds in drinking water to better protect human health.  These limits are called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).  EPA is setting limits for five individual PFAS:  PFOA PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals), and  also setting a Hazard Index Level for when two or more of four PFAS compounds are present as a mixture:  PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.  The final MCLs established by the Federal EPA are listed below:

Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have until 2027to complete initial monitoring.  Additionally, water systems have until 2029to be compliant with these MCLs.

ACWD tested drinking water supplies for PFOA and PFOS compounds in 2014, as required by the USEPA under the third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). ACWD did not detect PFOA or PFOS in the drinking water in 2014, however the lowest analytical detection at the time was approximately ten times higher than today.

Since 2014, advances in testing technologies since have allowed us to detect substances at increasingly low levels. Therefore ACWD, in June 2020, voluntarily sampled several water supply sources ahead of any regulatory requirement.  This proactive monitoring allows ACWD to ensure the best water quality is available to our customers and take measures to treat our source supplies.

Since 2020, ACWD has continued to test its drinking water served to its customers, including UCMR monitoring in 2024,, and has adjusted and optimized operations such that PFAS levels in all treated water delivered to customers has remained below the notification levels or non-detectable.

Our voluntary testing identified low levels of PFOA in our groundwater sources between non-detect and 5.5 ppt, with some sources above the customer notification level of 5.1 ppt.  However, all treated water delivered to customers had no detections of PFOA.

PFOS was detected in most groundwater sources at low levels, between non-detect and 16 ppt, with some sources above the customer notification level of 6.5 ppt set by the DDW.  However, all treated water delivered to customers was below the notification level or non-detectable.

PFBS was detected in some groundwater sources at low levels, between non-detect and 9.4 ppt, with all sources below the customer notification level of 500 ppt.  All treated water delivered to customers had no detections of PFBS.

PFHxS was detected in most groundwater sources, between non-detect and 15 ppt, with most of the sources above the customer notification level of 3 ppt. Since the establishment of the notification level, ACWD has optimized operations to ensure all treated water delivered to customers remain below notification levels.

PFNA and HFPO-DA, were not detected in any ACWD water sources or any treated water delivered to customers.

Results from this same monitoring program did not detect PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS, or HFPO-DA in surface water supplies which account for almost two-thirds of ACWD’s total water delivered to our customers.

Samples were collected by trained sampling staff from locations where other regulatory water quality samples are collected and analyzed by a State Certified Laboratory.

As per DDW’s Monitoring Order issued in October 2022 which became effective January 1, 2023, ACWD will continue quarterly groundwater monitoring as it has been doing voluntarily since June 2020.

ACWD already has optimized operations at our treatment facilities to ensure that all water served to customers have remained below the State of California’s notification levels for PFAS, and  have further optimized our operations to account for the new MCL criteria.

ACWD has existing water treatment facilities in place to effectively safeguard your water supply with the use of reverse osmosis technology at our Newark Desalination Facility and the blending of groundwater and surface water at our Blending Facility. Both methods are already implemented at our treatment facilities and are operated to keep the detections below the notification levels, thereby ensuring the treated water supplied to our customers meets all health-based standards. 

While ACWD adjusted operations to ensure water delivered to our customers is below California’s Notification Levels and the USEPA’s newly established MCLs for PFAS, this has reduced production capacity at ACWD’s Blending Facility, which blends groundwater from the ACWD wellfields with imported surface water.

In anticipation of PFAS regulations, ACWD has designed and is currently building a treatment facility to address PFAS in groundwater at our Blending Facility.  Currently under construction, the facility will treat up to 6 million gallons per day (MGD) of PFAS-impacted groundwater and may be expanded to treat up to 15 MGD in the future, if needed.  In addition, the facility will restore reduced capacity that resulted from operational changes needed to minimize PFAS levels in the treated water delivered to customers.

ACWD routinely posts PFAS sampling results on its website and additionally provide the sample results to the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water who will also post it on their website.

The latest data is available at acwd.org/PFAS

More information on PFAS compounds  is available at https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas or the California Water Board Frequently Asked Questions https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_general_faq.pdf.

All requests for tours must be submitted using the ACWD Tour Request Form.

All tour requests should be submitted as far in advance in possible and a minimum of two weeks before your preferred date.

All tour participants are required to be at a minimum in elementary school grade 4. Exceptions cannot be made.

Tours are offered Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Tours typically last 1.5 hours.

Participants will get a behind the scenes tour of the water treatment plant in full operation and view the process required to treat your drinking water. Tours may require standing, walking and climbing of stairs for a majority of the tour. Please advise us in advance if any members of your group require special accommodations. Also, we require all tour participants to wear flat, closed-toed shoes and long pants. Weather-appropriate attire should also be worn, as the majority of the tour is conducted outdoors (jackets during winter months, comfortable clothing, hats, and sunscreen during summer months).

Tour groups must have a minimum of 5 participants and limited to 15.  Larger groups may be accommodated depending on staff availability.  Larger school groups may be accommodated with additional chaperones.

Yes. You must submit a list of all participants and their organization affiliation at least one week before the tour date. To gain access to the ACWD facility on the day of the tour, a photo ID of each participant over age 16 may be required. 

Yes, every tour participant must sign off on a Visitor Form, which can be found here: ACWD Visitor Form.

Your video can be uploaded to the Student Application Form.

 Only use this format:  MPEG (.mp4).

Only one Student Application Form with one video per e-mail.

We respect copyright holders and their rights.  We do not allow copyrighted material.

View the WaterClips Student Video Contest 2025 winners and honorable mention videos on ACWD's YouTube channel.

These cylinders are self-cleaning, cylindrical fish screens with fencing, a control panel, and electrical boxes. These exist to prevent juvenile steelhead trout from being carried into the diversion pipeline and adjacent groundwater recharge ponds. 

No, according to Code T14 CCR §7.40, fishing is not allowed in Alameda Creek due to the take hatchery steelhead, trout, and salmon. Please report any illegally fishing or poaching by calling CALTIP (800) 541-4591.

Water from Alameda Creek percolates into the Niles Groundwater Basin and adjacent ponds as it’s a gravity-fed diversion. There is no pumping required. The addition of the rubber dams allows for more collection of this water leading to more opportunity for groundwater recharge. There is a common misconception that the cylindrical fish screens are pipes that pump water into the ponds. However, this is not the case as no pumping is required to move water from Alameda Creek into the adjacent ponds.

The numbers on the staff gauges in the recharge ponds represent the elevation in feet above sea level. This is done to track the recharge processes and managing the operations for water recharge. They do not represent the depth of water in the ponds.

The goal of the program is to restore the migratory fish passage corridor past facilities owned and operated by the District as well as Alameda County. The District recognizes that water agencies must balance the needs of people and the environment to be sustainable and resilient. To ensure the reliability of the District’s water supply from Alameda Creek and restore Central California Coast Steelhead trout, a federally listed species, the District and a number of Bay Area agencies, including the Alameda County Flood Control District, have worked for more than two decades to make the creek a more fish-friendly waterway through the District’s Fish Passage Improvements Program

Steelhead trout are federally listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. Modifications to the Alameda Creek streambed and urbanization of the surrounding region have eliminated spawning areas and made it impossible for steelhead to migrate upstream. As a result, steelhead trout have been absent from Alameda Creek and its tributaries for several decades. Without implementing these projects, we would have to significantly curtail our groundwater recharge operations, limiting our ability to maintain reliable water supplies from Alameda Creek.