Drainage/Flood Control

Stormwater Utility

I pay a bi-monthly drainage maintenance fee. What does this money pay for?

In 1996, the Stormwater Utility was formed in order to fund new programs for preventive maintenance, drainage repair and construction projects. With these programs, entire storm drain systems in large areas of the County are systematically cleaned on a periodic basis before serious problems occur. The creation of the Stormwater Utility also allows for more repair and construction projects that directly target local flooding problems. Typical sources of problems include blockage by tree roots, physical damage from other construction or landscape conditions altering over time.

I pay a drainage maintenance fee. Why doesn't the Stormwater Utility maintain the ditch that crosses my property?

Drainage easements allow Stormwater Utility field crews to maintain public drainage systems that are on private property. Property owners that have creeks, ditches, or pipes that carry runoff across their parcel can grant a maintenance easement to the County for this portion of their property. Without an easement the responsibility for maintaining the ditch, pipe or channel falls on the property owner. If you would like more information on easements, call (916) 874-6851.

What restrictions are there for activities within a drainage easement?

Drainage easements must be accessible to maintenance crews at all times. Any owner-initiated obstruction of an easement (such as a shed, fence, patio or other structure) is subject to removal at the owner's expense.

Is my property in a floodplain?

If your property is within Sacramento County, but not in the cities of Sacramento, Folsom, or Galt, you can obtain floodplain information about your parcel by calling our 24-hour flood zone information recording at (916) 874-7517. Leave your name, phone number, Assessor's parcel number and any specific questions you have. We'll get information back to you within 48 hours. 

In the City of Sacramento, call their recording at (916) 264-5061; in the City of Folsom, call (916) 355-7272; and in the City of Galt, call (209) 745-6995.

Do I need flood insurance?

All property in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood plain must be covered by flood insurance. However, flooding can occur even in areas of low risk. Flood insurance protects property owners from the financial consequences of a flood. The County of Sacramento participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that makes flood insurance available for all County residents.

How do I purchase flood insurance?

To buy a flood insurance policy, contact your insurance agent. If your agent does not write flood insurance or you don't have an agent, you can call NFIP's toll free number to obtain the name of an agent in your area who does write flood insurance. The number is 1-888-CALL FLOOD, ext. 445.

How can I find out what flood zone I'm in?

You can find out what flood zone you are in by calling our message line at (916) 874-7517. You will need to leave your name, phone number, and the assessor's parcel number (APN) of the property. You can obtain the APN by calling the Assessor's Office at (916) 875-0700. Someone will get back to you within two business days.

Where can I get more information about preparing for floods?

How can I participate in the stormdrain stenciling program?

Who provides my water service?

Why is my neighbor's water bill different than mine when we both receive water from the Sacramento County Water Agency?

Not everybody is on a flat water rate. Some residents receive metered water and their rates fluctuate with their use.

I receive metered water. Will my rates go up also?

Yes, if the proposed rate increase is approved, all Sacramento County Water Agency customers will receive a rate increase. The increase for metered customers is 6 percent.

I am a flat-rate water customer. Will I have to go to metered water?

Yes. In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act. In compliance with this act, Sacramento County Water Agency customers will be incrementally converted to metered water billing by 2014.

Will my rates go up when I convert to metered water?

During 1999, the Sacramento County Water Agency completed a water metering pilot study. The results concluded that 63 percent of the households participating in the study would have saved money if they had been billed on a metered rate verses a flat rate. Water metering rewards the water customer for implementing water conservation practices.

What is the relationship between water and power?

Water use consumes a tremendous amount of electricity. Water must be obtained, purified and pumped to homes and businesses through the use of energy. After the water is used, it must be pumped to wastewater plants for cleaning. Water pumping is the single most significant use of electricity in the state of California. By using water efficiently, we can conserve water and energy. For more water conservation tips, call our water conservation hotline at (916) 875-6H20.

What can I do to conserve water?

Water conservation is easy. Just following a few simple tips can make a really big difference.

• Water when both evaporation and water use are low, from midnight to 5:00am and 8:00am to 10:00am.
• Follow an odd/even watering schedule.
• Use a drip irrigation system to prevent runoff by applying water directly to the plant's root zone.
• Select water efficient landscape plants.
• Sweep or rake-up debris instead of hosing it away.
• Use a pistol grip nozzle on your hose to prevent water from running continuously.
• Adjust your sprinkler heads to make sure water is going where it's needed and not on sidewalks and driveways.

What is the odd/even watering schedule?

Residential and commercial locations with a street address ending in an odd number water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only; and those with an even number water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday only.

I've read several articles lately on water quality. How do I know my drinking water is safe?

The Sacramento County Water Agency monitors your drinking water regularly. Annually, our customers receive a Consumer Confidence Report detailing the composition of their drinking water. If you are a Sacramento County Water Agency customer and don't have a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report, please call Sarah Grant at 875-6881 to request a copy.