Plumber in Santa Clara County, from San Jose to Morgan Hill

Where the county's water comes from

Valley Water wholesales water to the cities and private water companies of Santa Clara County, and San Jose Water is the largest of those retailers. About half of the county's supply is imported from the Sierra Nevada, and the groundwater basins under the valley supply more than 40 percent.

That mix is why water at the tap changes from one neighborhood to the next. San Jose Water treats anything over 7 grains per gallon as hard, and its supply usually runs between about 10 and 16 grains, with groundwater on parts of the valley floor testing higher. Hard water shortens the life of water heaters and fixtures, which is why water softener installation and yearly water heater maintenance come up so often here.

Sewer laterals and who owns them

In San Jose, the homeowner owns the upper sewer lateral, from the house to the property line, and the city is responsible for the lower lateral from there to the main. Other cities in the county set their own rules, so we confirm who owns which section before any digging is priced.

A sewer camera inspection shows where a blockage or break sits, and that footage decides whether the job is yours, the city's, or a repair rather than a full replacement.

How we cover the county

Calls across the county go to dispatch on one number, answered 24 hours a day, and plumbers leave from the North San Jose office. Santa Clara, Milpitas and Sunnyvale are the closest; Mountain View, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos and Saratoga are a little further; Morgan Hill is the south end of our regular area. For Palo Alto, Gilroy or the hill roads, call and ask first, and the dispatcher will tell you plainly how soon a plumber can reach you.