If a pipe bursts or sewage comes up in a Solana Beach home, close the main water valve, and if you smell gas, leave and call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Solana Beach.
Solana Beach's water and sewer arrangement
Santa Fe Irrigation District is the water provider for most of Solana Beach. Its supply comes from Lake Hodges and imported water bought from the San Diego County Water Authority, treated at the R.E. Badger Filtration Plant. SFID customer service is 858-756-2424, and its after-hours emergency number is 858-756-2854, which is where a break at the meter or in the street should go.
Sewer is where Solana Beach differs from many cities. The City of Solana Beach Sanitation District maintains only the main sewer lines in the street. Property owners own and are responsible for the building lateral all the way out to the street main, including the part between the property line and the main. The City asks owners to contact the City Engineer/Sanitation office at (858) 720-2470 before altering or repairing a lateral, so a plumber doing an emergency lateral repair may need to coordinate with the City.
Close to the ocean, salt air is rough on outdoor valves, hose bibs and exposed fittings, and those parts can fail at inconvenient times. SDG&E supplies gas.
Who to call for what
| What's happening | First call |
|---|---|
| Water rising from the street or meter box | SFID, 858-756-2854 after hours |
| Burst pipe or broken supply line indoors | A plumber, after closing the main |
| Sewage backing up in one house | A plumber; the lateral is the owner's |
| Sewage coming from a street manhole | City Engineer/Sanitation, (858) 720-2470 |
| Gas odor | Leave, then 911 and SDG&E |
Signs not to ignore
- A ceiling stain that is growing or dripping
- The lowest drain gurgling, then backing up
- Water at the base of the water heater
- A corroded outdoor valve that won't stop leaking
Timing and permit notes
The winter rainy season is when blocked laterals and yard drains tend to show themselves. Freezes are rare this close to the coast. After-hours calls usually cost more than weekday ones. On permits, Solana Beach's code treats stopping a leak in a drain, water, waste or vent pipe as exempt, but replacing a defective concealed pipe counts as new work that needs a permit through Building Services. Arrival time depends on the hour and the plumber's schedule, so none is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in Solana Beach
How can I tell whether a sewer backup is the public main or my own lateral?
Water is gushing from the street or the meter box. Who do I call?
If the water heater has to be replaced tonight, is a permit involved?
Can a winter storm cause a plumbing emergency?
More plumbing services in Solana Beach
Emergency Plumber nearby
Sources
Last updated: