Who to call for water, sewer and gas problems in Fountain Valley

The City's sewer guidance is clear on the first part. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their private sewer laterals, from the building to the public sewer main, including any part under the sidewalk or street. The sewer agency maintains the local, public and regional sewer lines.

The City has its own Sewer Division, which handles sewer and storm drain work, and the Southpark Specific Plan describes sewer service in the city as provided by the City of Fountain Valley and the Orange County Sanitation District. OC San is a public agency that collects, treats and recycles wastewater for about 2.6 million people in central and northwest Orange County. Its administrative offices and primary plant, Plant No. 1, are in Fountain Valley next to the Santa Ana River.

Backup inside the house

If sewage is coming up a floor drain, tub or toilet and the neighbors are fine, the problem is almost always in your lateral or your house drains. The City's guidance for a suspected backup or leak from your property is to contact a licensed plumber. That is our drain cleaning and sewer line repair work.

Spill in the street

If sewage is coming out of a manhole in the street or a cleanout and running toward the gutter, report it. The City's guidance says a spill seen at a cleanout or manhole goes to your sewer agency, or to the county's 24-hour pollution hotline at 1-877-89-SPILL (1-877-897-7455). The county also takes reports online through myOCeServices.ocgov.com. OC San says that if a spill is not part of its system, you should contact your city.

A note for plumbers

The City asks plumbers to contact the sewer agency before pushing roots from a private lateral into the public main. We follow that. Clearing your line should not create a blockage for the street.

Southern California Gas Company supplies natural gas in Fountain Valley. The City lists SoCalGas's general number, (800) 427-2000, for service and billing. For a gas leak or a damaged gas line, use SoCalGas's emergency line, 1-800-427-2200. SoCalGas has also said that even minor damage to a gas line or its coating should be reported right away, because a small gouge or dent can lead to a break or leak later.

Once SoCalGas has made the situation safe, the repair on your side of the meter is plumbing work. Gas piping from the meter to your appliances belongs to the customer. That includes the line to the water heater, range, dryer, furnace, barbecue, fire pit and pool heater. Repairs and new gas lines need a City permit. See our gas line plumber page.

DigAlert is the name for Underground Service Alert of Southern California, the free service that has utilities mark their underground lines before you dig. SCE notes that California law sets the two-working-day notice, and that the marking is free. SoCalGas reminds customers that this applies to small jobs too: fences, decks, planting or removing large trees.

The Fountain Valley Building Division issues plumbing permits from City Hall at 10200 Slater Ave. Its phone is 714-593-4429, and the counter is open Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Fridays. The City requires a permit before installing, altering, repairing, removing or replacing a plumbing system. Our permit guide explains which jobs need one.

Backflow testing runs through the City's cross connection control program with the Orange County Health Care Agency. Questions go to the City's Water Quality Technician at 714-593-4624. Completed test forms go to the Public Works and Field Services Division at 17300 Mt. Herrmann St.

City Hall's main number is 714-593-4400.