Whether planned or unexpected, a water shutdown can interrupt daily life. Residents and businesses can stay safe and comfortable until service is restored with a little advance preparation and coordination.

In May, the Vallecitos Water District needed to conduct a water shutdown in order to repair a leak in a 10-inch water main located in San Marcos on Discovery Street, south of West San Marcos Boulevard.

The water main is located next to Valley Christian School, a private K-12 prep school, and services both businesses and homes in the immediate area.

Vallecitos Water District maintenance teams supplied the school during the day-long shutdown on May 19 for repairs by providing a water line to the school from a nearby fire hydrant.

See the repair operation in this video.

Crew leader Mitchell Toth, Valve Maintenance Technician with the Vallecitos Water District, said, “We know water systems shutdowns are a huge inconvenience for customers and VWD, but our construction crew will work as safely and efficiently as possible to restore water to customers as soon as possible.”

Repairs were successfully completed, and water service was restored to all customers by the end of the day.

What Prompts A Water Shutdown?

Water shutdowns may happen during planned maintenance, emergencies, or water main repairs. Teams work to restore safe, reliable service as quickly and carefully as possible. Every shutdown helps protect the system that delivers safe, reliable water when you need it most, and helps avoid emergency repairs and the loss of water supplies due to unanticipated breaks.

Multiple departments work together throughout the process. Customer service and meter crews notify residents and prepare the system by shutting off affected meters. Construction crews repair damaged pipes, and water operations crews flush and test the water before service is safely restored.

 

How To Prepare Ahead For A Water Shutdown

Customers can reduce the inconvenience of a water shutdown by taking several steps in advance.

Before the shutdown, store drinking water. Plan a minimum of one gallon per person per day, if possible. Don’t forget water for your pets.

Fill containers with additional tap water for washing hands, cleaning, and flushing toilets.

During the outage, conserve stored water and avoid using dishwashers, washing machines, or ice makers. To flush a toilet, pour a bucket of water directly into the bowl. Keep easy-to-prepare meals, paper plates, sanitizer, and wipes available to reduce water use during the outage.

When service returns, water may appear cloudy or sputter briefly as air clears from the pipes. Run cold water from the highest faucet in your home until it clears.

By planning ahead, you can protect your home and reduce stress during any water shutdown. If you have questions before, during, or after an outage, contact your community’s water district.