How do I sign up for water service?
Why is the water from my tap sometimes cloudy?
What is a utility easement?
Do I have hard water?
Should I use a water softener?
Is my tap water safe to drink?
Why don’t I have cold water?
How can I learn about the quality of my drinking water?
Who can I contact if I have questions about my water?
How can I conserve water?
How do I report water misuse?
How can I identify an Indio Water Authority Employee?
- How do I sign up for water service?
Call Customer Service at 760.391.4038 or click here to download a Start/Stop Water Service Form online.
- Why is the water from my tap sometimes cloudy?
The water will look white and cloudy because of air bubbles in the water. This has no effect on water quality. If you let a glass or pitcher of water sit a few minutes, the air bubbles will dissipate and the water will become clear. If you have aesthetic concerns with cloudy water, you can avoid the issue altogether by keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.
- What is a utility easement?
Utility easements are strips of land used by utility companies to construct and maintain water, electric, sewer, telephone, and cable (underground and overhead) infrastructure. The property owner owns all of the land, including the easements; however, utilities have a right to access that portion of land which has been designated as an easement. Utility easements are usually created at the time a plan for a new development is designed. Utility easements almost always exist along streets, along rear lot lines, and sometimes between lots. It is important to keep easements clear so that routine maintenance can be performed.
- Do I have hard water?
Yes. Hard water is water that has a high mineral content, naturally occurring in Coachella Valley groundwater. The minerals primarily consist of calcium and magnesium cations. Hard water does not pose a health hazard. The system hardness range is 52 – 200 mg/L as calcium carbonate. The average hardness is 104 mg/L and this falls in the moderately hard to hard range.
- Should I use a water softener?
The Indio Water Authority discourages the use of water softeners. Most water softeners add salt to the water. A typical wastewater treatment facility does not remove much of the salt before it is discharged into the environment. Salt has a negative impact on most ecosystems and it leads to the gradual pollution of our water resources.
- Is my tap water safe to drink?
Absolutely. The Indio Water Authority must meet rigorous requirements as mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Department of Public Health. We meet or exceed all state and federal standards. The Indio Water Authority relies exclusively on the Whitewater Aquifer to provide service to its customers; without local heavy industry or blending with imported water, we believe we provide some of the best-tasting water in Southern California.
- Why don’t I have cold water?
There are 2 main reasons you may experience warm water from your cold tap. First, the heat of the desert sun can warm the water in the pipelines as it travels to your house. This can happen even though the pipes are underground. Second, many people in this area do not stay through the summer months, causing water to move more slowly through the pipes. Generally, the slower the water moves, the warmer it will be. The best way around hot water is leaving a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.
- How can I learn about the quality of my drinking water?
The Indio Water Authority publishes a Water Quality Report every year. This report is mailed to residents, and be accessed by clicking Our Water on this website.
- Who can I contact if I have questions about my water?
For any questions relating to your drinking water please call our office at 760.391.4038 or email indiowater@indio.org.
- How can I conserve water?
For water conservation tips please visit the Water Conservation section of our website.
- How do I report water misuse?
If you notice excess water in the streets, or broken sprinklers wasting water, please report these occurrences by calling the City of Indio and Indio Water Authority’s environmental hotline at 760.391.4129.