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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

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2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

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3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

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4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

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5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

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6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

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1. Where can I get mulch?

You can purchase mulch from landscape supply stores, tree trimming services, recycled resource centers, nurseries and retail stores.

2. I received free mulch and only paid for its delivery. Can I get a rebate?

Yes, the rebate covers up to $25 per cubic yard, not to exceed $100 or actual costs for mulch and the delivery of plant-based mulch.

3. I picked up free mulch from an event, do I qualify for the rebate?

No. Only purchased mulch qualifies for a rebate. Purchased mulch may come from a tree trimming service, resource-recycling center, nursery, landscape supply or retail store.

4. Can I get a rebate for chipping my own mulch?

No. Only purchased mulch qualifies for a rebate. Purchased mulch may come from a tree trimming service, resource-recycling center, nursery, landscape supply or retail store.

5. Can I purchase bagged mulch?

Yes. It will take 14 to 18 typical bags of plant-based mulch to be eligible for the minimum purchase of 1 cubic yard of mulch.

6. Do I get a rebate for rock mulch?

No. Only plant-based mulch qualifies for the rebate.

7. Is straw mulch eligible for a rebate?

Straw mulch, degrades too quickly and is not eligible for the rebate.

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1. Is dirty, yellow or brown water coming from the faucet?

If your water appears dirty or muddy, it may be due to construction or maintenance within Helix's distribution system. Sand or sediment in the water lines is most commonly caused by routine flushing of the distribution system through the fire hydrants. This is a routine preventive maintenance activity conducted regularly by Helix Water District.

Flushing the water system on a routine basis removes sediment from lines and keeps the entire distribution system refreshed. As a result of the flushing procedure, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and precipitates and does not affect the safety of the water.

Crews post signs in the areas in which they are working to help make customers aware of the preventive maintenance activity. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your own home by running all water faucets for a minute or two.

If a few minutes of internal flushing does not seem to improve the watercolor and both the hot and cold water is affected, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours. If just the hot water is affected, see our instructions on how to flush your hot water heater.

2. Are there floating, white, granular particles in your water?

Do the particles melt when heated? If yes, the problem is likely due to a failure of your hot water heater dip tube.

Please call us at 619-667-6248 or email us at Helix Water District.

3. Are there black particles in your water?

The most common cause of black particles in tap water is the disintegration of rubber materials used in plumbing fixtures. These particles float and often adhere to sinks and bathtubs and can appear sooty or greasy. Gaskets, hoses connected to water heaters and washing machines, rubber heat traps furnished with some newer water heaters, and o-rings can disintegrate over time and some pieces can collect in tubs, toilet tanks, faucets, and other locations. Flexible hoses (braided stainless) are often lined with black rubber. Homeowners should make sure they or their plumber's select hose, gasket, and water heater components that are compatible with the drinking water supply in southern California.

4. Is your water blue?

Water naturally has a blue hue or color. The degree of blue is dependent upon the water's physical and chemical characteristics. The amount of dissolved oxygen, for instance, can influence water's physical characteristics while copper compounds can affect water's chemical characteristics.

Generally, the more water you see, the greater the degree of perceived blue. A glass of water should appear clear while a bathtub full of water may appear turquoise blue. Excessively blue water, however, may indicate copper corrosion or a possible cross connection within the home's plumbing. If your water seems unusually blue, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix Water District.

5. Does your water appear white or "milky"?

Cloudy or milky (white) water is usually caused by an abundance of small air bubbles in the water. These harmless bubbles enter the water when air is drawn into Helix’s water distribution system. The air bubbles in a freshly filled glass of cold water will usually clear after a few minutes.

6. Are pink stains appearing near water sources?

Pink stains appearing on bathroom fixtures, drainboard surfaces, and pet dishes are usually from a bacteria, Serratia marcescens. This pink residue is less likely a problem associated with water quality than with naturally occurring, airborne bacteria. The bacteria produce a pinkish film (sometimes dark gray) and often appear during and after new construction or remodeling activities.

The dirt and dust stirred up by the work probably contain Serratia bacteria. Once airborne, the bacteria seek moist environments to proliferate. These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter.

The best solution to keep these surfaces free from bacterial film is continual cleaning. A cleanser containing chlorine is best, but use care with abrasives to avoid scratching fixtures, which will make them even more susceptible to bacteria. Keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of chlorine bleach to toilet tanks as needed.

7. Does your water have a soapy appearance?

If your water appears soapy, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix District Water.

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1. What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring ionic form of fluorine, the 13th most abundant element on Earth. It is found in many rocks and minerals in the soil and enters drinking water as water passes through these soils. Fluoride is present naturally in almost all foods and beverages including water, but levels can vary widely.

2. How much fluoride does Helix add to my water?

Helix supplements naturally-occurring fluoride in our drinking water to meet the standards established by the Division of Drinking Water (DDW). The optimal level of fluoride in our area is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) with a control range of 0.6 to 1.2 mg/L. Helix uses fluorosilicic acid, a chemical certified under American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 60 and approved by the DDW.

3. Should I or my children take fluoride supplements?

Helix water customers currently using fluoride supplements are advised to consult their prescribing physician or dentist about taking fluoride supplements.

4. Will fluoridation affect my children?

Parents and caregivers should consult their pediatrician, family physician, or dentist on the most appropriate water to use in their area to reconstitute infant formula. Ask your pediatrician or physician whether fluoridated water should be used in the makeup of baby formula or whether your children should be taking fluoride supplements.

5. I have a fish tank. Will fluoridation affect my fish?

No. Fluoridated water will have no effect on the fish in your aquarium.

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1. Is there a metallic taste?

A metallic taste in water can be caused by metals leeching into the water from old pipes under and within an old home. Have a licensed plumber check the pipes. Another potential cause is a change in a customer’s body chemistry due to a new medication. Check your medications and their potential side effects with your doctor.

2. Is there a musty or earthy odor in only your hot water?

The hot water heater is the likely cause of this issue.

3. Is there a musty or earthy odor in both your hot and cold water?

Earthy and musty off-flavors in water occur worldwide, come from nature, and have no known health effects at their natural levels.

Earthy and musty odors can be found in natural waters and in soils, as well as in beets and corn (because they are grown in contact with soil). In waterways, when certain algae grow in abundance in what we call an algae bloom, high levels of these odors are produced. These taste and odor problems are sporadic and usually occur in the summertime when weather conditions are most likely to induce an algae bloom. The technical name for the chemicals produced by the majority of odor-causing algae is 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin.

Helix uses ozone in the treatment process and one of its benefits is that it is very effective at removing earthy and musty flavors and odors. However, even at extremely low levels, such as 5 parts per trillion, highly sensitive people can still taste or smell them. When a large algae bloom occurs, more people detect an issue. A way of masking this harmless musty taste and odor is chilling your tap water.

Algae-related water quality issues usually clear up in a few days.

4. Do you taste or smell chloramines (chlorine or ammonia)?

Helix Water District has been using ozone as its primary disinfectant since 2002. Chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, are added to the water at the end of the treatment process in order to maintain disinfection residual. The following are some answers to frequently asked questions on chloramines. If you have further questions, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or at 619-466-3234 after hours.

• What are chloramines?
  Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia and are one of several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectants used to remove pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms in water. (Reference 1)
• What are the benefits of chloramines versus chlorine?
  Chloramines last longer than chlorine in water and as a result, are better able to control microbiological growth and contamination. Chloramines create fewer byproducts, such as trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs form when chlorine mixes with natural organic substances in water. Generally, chloramines create far fewer taste and odor complaints than free chlorine alone. Additionally, Helix Water District uses ozone as part of its treatment process, further reducing taste and odor issues.
• Are chloramines safe?
  Yes, chloramines have been safely used in the United States since the early 1900s, and are commonly used in southern California, across the nation, and worldwide. Chloraminated water is safe for the general public and for people with suppressed immune systems or other diseases. Like chlorine, chloramines will be safe for everyday uses like drinking, bathing, and cooking for people, dogs, and cats. However, as with chlorine, chloramines must be removed or neutralized for aquatic animals and kidney dialysis patients. (Reference 2)
• How do I keep my aquatic animals safe?
  Just like chlorine, chloramines can harm all saltwater and freshwater fish, shellfish, amphibians, and some reptiles because they take chloramines directly into the bloodstream through their gills or skin. Pond and aquarium owners should purchase a water conditioner or filter to remove chloramines. Pet supply stores, aquarium shops, and veterinarians can advise customers on the best treatments for tanks and ponds.
  View Fish Owners
  Please note that although boiling water, reverse osmosis, salt additives, and letting water sit for a few days are practices sometimes used to remove chlorine, they do not remove chloramines.
• How do chloramines affect kidney dialysis patients?
  Like chlorine, chloramines can harm kidney dialysis patients if they are not removed before water mixes with the patient's bloodstream. However, kidney dialysis patients can safely drink chloramines because the body naturally neutralizes them before they enter the bloodstream.
• How do I remove chloramines for home brewing or home photo labs?
  Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters can be used to remove chloramines and other byproducts if the filter is followed by a reverse osmosis process. Several companies offer GAC filters and systems in San Diego county. Carbon filters need to be changed often.
• Is it safe to wash an open wound with chlorinated water?
  Yes. It is safe to use chlorinated water in cleaning an open wound. (Reference 1 and 2)
• What can I do for plumbing parts that may corrode due to chloramines?
  As rubber plumbing parts wear out, consumers should replace rubber plumbing components with chloramines-resistant materials such as: high-quality rubber (synthetic polymer) parts, flexible copper tubing, tubing made of corrugated stainless flex, or newer neoprene braided stainless steel.

References

Environmental Protection Agency. 1994. Drinking Water Criteria Document For Chloramines Final Draft ECAO-CIN-D002. March 1994. Chloramines-EPA-1994 (PDF)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NTP TR 392 Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Chlorinated Water (CAS Numbers 7782-50-5 and 7681-52-9) and Chloraminated Water (CAS Number 10599-90-3) (Deionized and Charcoal-Filtered) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Drinking Water Studies) March 1992.

5. Does your water have a plastic or solvent odor?

Solvent-like odors are more often than not associated with work activities around the home. Recent work on irrigation systems, for instance, can lead to smells related to PVC glue. These odors can be fed back into the home as internal water use draws small amounts of water out of the irrigation system and into the interior plumbing. Solvent odors due to irrigation work are generally short-lived and can be removed by flushing water through the home's faucets.

Additionally, solvents introduced into a water meter box or into the soil around a PVC (plastic) service line can create noticeable odors. This results from solvents penetrating the plastic and entering the water. The intentional discharge of paints, solvents or any other chemicals into the meter box is illegal and a finable offense. Please contact HWD immediately if you observe anyone doing so. The only means to rectify such a problem is to replace any piping and contaminated soil in the immediate area. The soil is considered hazardous waste and is very costly to dispose of properly.

If you are experiencing problems of this sort that cannot be easily explained, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix District Water.

6. Does your water have a rotten eggs odor?

When experiencing a rotten egg-type odor at the tap, the first step is to attempt to isolate the source of the odor. First, check to see if the odor is present at all taps or just one. If the odor is present at only one tap, the source of the odor is most likely the drain in that particular sink, shower or bathtub. All of the plumbing fixtures in your home receive water from the same source. Therefore, if the water is the source of the odor, it would be present at all the taps.

Food particles, hair, and other items have a tendency to build up in drains forming bacterial gases and causing a foul 'rotten egg' odor. Often, this odor is stronger in the morning. This is usually due to the fact that the drain hasn't been used for several hours and the bacterial gases get expelled into the atmosphere when water displaces air in a drain trap. Also, when brushing teeth and hunched over a sink, one is closer to the source.

To remove the rotten egg odor from drain traps, pour ½ cup of household (unscented) bleach into the drain. Most bathroom sinks have an overflow drain that runs from the top of the basin down to the drain. This overflow line also can be a cause of odors as it has a tendency to remain moist and is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Cleaning this area can be accomplished by filling the sink with a diluted bleach solution to the point of the solution flowing into the overflow. Allow about a cup of it to flow into the overflow and let it sit for about five minutes, then drain. This solution will also clean the trap as it drains. To prevent these odors from returning, routinely flush all drains with half a cup of bleach once a month.

If your sink or shower is clogged or drains running slowly, use a commercial drain-opening product to eliminate any blockages. Do not use both commercial drain openers and bleach because this may cause a hazardous reaction.

If you detect the same odor from all the faucets, the next step is to run some water into a glass and take the glass into another room where there is no plumbing, such as the living room. Is the odor still present? If the odor is no longer present, the source of the odor is within the drains. See the recommendations above regarding flushing drains to prevent odors. If the odor still can be detected when you are not near the drains, determine if the odor is coming from the hot water only, cold only, or both hot and cold:

Hot Water Only

See Hot Water Heaters on the Water Quality FAQs page.

Cold Water Only

See Water Filters and Treatment Devices on the Water Quality FAQs page.

Both Hot & Cold Water

Please call us at 619-667-6248 or email Helix Water District.