Water Line Repair in Redlands, CA

Who supplies water to my Redlands home?

The City does, for most addresses. Its Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department serves Redlands and Mentone, parts of Crafton Hills and San Timoteo Canyon, and a small piece of San Bernardino. Its customer service line, as published in the City's 2022 water quality report, is (909) 798-7516. The supply is a mix of Santa Ana River and Mill Creek surface water, Bunker Hill Basin groundwater that covers about half of normal demand, and State Water Project water during peak periods.

Could my service line contain lead or galvanized pipe?

The City completed its service line inventory and reports no lead lines and no galvanized lines requiring replacement in its distribution system, and it publishes inventory maps. That covers what the utility has on record. On an older lot, the private pipe from the meter to the house may still be early copper or steel that has been patched before, and a plumber can confirm the material once a section is exposed. Hardness is moderate to hard, with groundwater averaging 152 mg/L and treated surface water 135 mg/L in the 2022 report, so expect some scale at old fittings and valves.

What permit does a line repair take in Redlands?

The Building & Safety Division's One Stop Permit Center issues building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits at 35 Cajon Street, Suite 15A, (909) 798-7536, with an online portal for starting applications. A full replacement is permitted work, and an inspector will want to see the pipe before it is buried. Ask your plumber who pulls the permit and how the inspection fits into the schedule.

One more Redlands note

Large trees and established landscaping complicate any buried line. Roots can crack or crush older pipe, and a route under a big tree or a brick walk may make a reroute or a trenchless pull worth discussing instead of an open trench. If water is surfacing at the meter or curb, call the City first, since that part is the utility's, and keep the meter box lid clear so crews can reach it. A plumber can handle everything from the meter to the house.