City of Davis, CA
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Nov 14
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Got cartons? Starting in December, there will be a drop-off location in Davis where people can bring empty and rinsed cartons for recycling. More information coming soon!
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When water flows down the street gutter and into a storm drain, it enters a series of underground pipes that carry the water away from properties and streets. This storm drain system is designed to protect the City from flooding by conveying stormwater to detention ponds, drainage channels and lift stations, then out to local waterways and the ocean. In portions of Davis north of I-80, most stormwater flows directly from the streets to local ponds (West Area Pond, Evergreen Pond, Julie Partansky Pond, Sutter Davis Hospital Pond, the Cannery Pond and the Core Area Pond), then through drainage channels to the Willow Slough Bypass, then out to the Yolo Bypass, the Sacramento River and the ocean. In portions of Davis south of I-80, the stormwater flows through various drainage channels and then is pumped into the Yolo Bypass. Unlike wastewater that goes down the drains inside a home (via sinks, showers, toilets, etc.), stormwater is not treated and is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. When stormwater carries pollutants (such as dirt, trash, animal waste, oil, gas, fertilizers, pesticides, metals, etc.) to our local water bodies, it not only harms aquatic plants and animals, but can also cause adverse effects on our use of water for swimming, fishing, drinking and agriculture. Because of these factors, it’s important to remember that only rain belongs in a storm drain. https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/stormwater/pollution-prevention-at-home
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If you start to see large flocks of turkeys around town, it's not because the wild turkey population has grown excessively. It's just that time of the year when local wild turkeys form large foraging groups (instead of roaming around alone or in smaller groups) and meander around wider sections of town. It can be quite a sight to see a large flock of 40 turkeys in your neighborhood! Turkeys can be fun to watch, and they help to keep pests like slugs, snails, and cockroaches out of the garden, but they can also behave aggressively, tear up landscaping in search of food, leave a mess on sidewalks, and pose a traffic hazard when crossing busy streets. To encourage peaceful coexistence with our large, feathered neighbors, please do not feed the turkeys. Turkeys are able to find appropriate food on their own. Statewide, the wild turkey population is healthy and thriving. Here are some other ways that you can help to reduce conflict with wild turkeys in your neighborhood and around town: • If you use a bird feeder, keep the area below the feeder clear of fallen seed. • If turkeys begin feeding under your bird feeders, remove the feeders until the turkeys stop visiting the site. This may take several days to weeks. • If turkeys are causing problems in your yard, consider installing motion-detecting sprinklers. • If your dog has free roam of your yard, you’ve got a built-in deterrent. Wild turkeys typically will not enter yards with dogs. • If confronted by a wild turkey that has lost its fear of humans, an open umbrella or walking stick may help steer it out of your path. Turkeys rarely make aggressive physical contact with humans. Be assertive and dominant. Let that turkey know you're in control. • Avoid sudden stops or swerves when encountering turkeys in the roadway. If safe to do so, slow down to 10 mph and proceed. The turkeys will move out of the way. Find more tips on the Living with Wildlife webpage: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/urban-wildlife/tips-for-living-with-wildlife
Leak Detection
According to the U.S. EPA, the average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. If you feel your water use is high, use the online customer water use portal, AquaHawk, to compare your current water use to your past usage and check for common leaks. Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. Some leaks you can easily fix yourself.
Water Usage and Water Leaks
Water customers are often surprised by the amount of water typical leaks can waste over time. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. An irrigation system that has a leak 0.031 inches in diameter (about the thickness of the tip of a ballpoint pen) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.
One of the most common leaks reported to the city are toilet leaks. The volume for toilet leaks can vary greatly depending upon the type of leak. Many toilet leaks are even silent, especially if they are toilet flapper leaks. AquaHawk can be used to assist in finding leaks in the home and around the property.
Water Usage and Water Leaks PDF
November 17, 2021: Leak Detection and the City's Customer Water Use Portal (Presentation Slides)
November 17, 2021: Leak Detection and the City's Customer Water Use Portal (Recording)
What is a hundred cubic foot (CCF)?
Indoor Leaks
- Toilet flappers (can be silent)
- Dripping faucets or showerheads
- Other leaking valves
- Water softeners
- Reverse osmosis systems
- Hot water leaks
Outdoor Leaks
- Failing or stuck valves (irrigation, pools, spas and ponds)
- Broken sprinkler heads and pipes
- Holes in drip lines and missing emitters
- Cracked auto-fills for pools and spas
- Supply lines to irrigation, pools, spas and ponds
- Hose bibs
Checking for leaks
Customer water use portal: Sign up for AquaHawk, the City's online customer water use portal to view your hourly water consumption, manage your water usage and set and customize alert setting. For tips on using AquaHawk to assist in finding leaks, download the Using AquaHawk to Assist in Finding Leaks PDF.
Water meter box: Check your meter box for pooling water. Standing water inside the box often indicates there is a leak.
Irrigation systems: Standing water or areas of consistently moist soil can indicate an irrigation or service line leak. Check the sprinkler head at the lowest elevation of the yard, pooling water can indicate an irrigation valve leak.
Indoor pipes: If you hear water running in your home, but don’t have a tap turned on, you may have a leaky pipe. Hot water is the most common indoor leak, check your natural gas bill to see if there are spikes in usage.
Toilets: Put two-three drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If after 15 minutes the coloring has dripped into the bowl without flushing, you have a toilet flapper valve leak.
Faucets and showerheads: Check kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms for dripping fixtures. If you have consistent drips or streams, you need to tighten your taps. If that does not work, you may have a leak.
Water usage on utility bills: If the water usage on your utility bill is higher than average, you may have a leak in your home or on your property.
Request a water consumption check: The Public Works Utilities and Operations (PWUO) Department provides water consumption checks free of charge. To request a check for your property, email PWWeb@cityofdavis.org or call 757-5686. PWUO staff will check for continuous use at the meter and contact you with their findings. PWUO staff will only check the meter and city infrastructure; any leaks on the customer side of the meter are the customer’s responsibility.
The City of Davis does not offer refunds or credit for water consumption charges due to water leaks. Water that passes through the City’s water meter is billed to the property owner. It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain all water infrastructure (pipes, irrigation, valves, etc.) past the City’s meter.
If you see water pooling in or spilling out of your water meter box, please contact Public Works Utilities and Operations before taking further action so that a meter investigation can be conducted.