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Public Works

Show All Answers

1. How much water does Ceres receive from SRWA?

Ceres has the pipeline capacity to receive up to 15 million gallons per day (mgd) of water from the SRWA Regional Surface Water Supply Project although this first phase of the SRWA project Ceres will deliver up to 5 mgd to the City.

2. Where does this new water source come from?

In partnership with Turlock Irrigation District (TID), water will be drawn from the Tuolumne River for treatment at the new SRWA Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant prior to delivery to the City to be used in conjunction with existing groundwater. This diversified regional water supply provides drought management, improves water quality, and helps to replenish groundwater supplies.

3. Will my water taste or smell different?

The water will contain a similar level of chlorine that you currently receive; therefore, minimal changes in taste and smell are expected. The surface water has a lower mineral content so there could be changes at various times of the year depending on the amount of surface water and groundwater a customer receives.

4. Will my water look different?

Discolored water events are not unusual when integrating a new water source into an existing water distribution system. The City is taking measures to reduce the likelihood of these events by stabilizing the water chemistry through the treatment process and flushing pipelines before surface water is introduced to the system. It is important to understand what can cause discolored water and what to do when you encounter discolored water.

5. What do I need to start utility service?

To find requirements to start service, visit our Utility Billing page.

6. If I receive water, sewer and garbage from the City of Ceres, who do I contact for electric, gas and telephone service?

Utility Providers

Utility	Provider	Phone Number
Electric	Turlock Irrigation District (TID)	209-883-8222
Gas	PG&E	800-743-5000
Telephone	SBC	800-310-2355

7. Who do I contact for City utility services?

Contact Information for Ceres Utility Services

Service Needed	Department	Phone Number	Hours of Service (Excluding Holidays)
Utility Service and Billing	Finance Department	209-538-5757	Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Water Web Portal	Water Department	209-538-5732	Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Water Wasting	Public Works Department	209-538-5732	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Water or Sewer Repairs	Public Works Department	209-538-5732 or 209-538-5712 (After Hours)	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Water Emergency	Public Works Department	209-538-5732 or 209-538-5712 (After Hours)	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sewer Emergency	Public Works Department	209-538-5732 or 209-538-5712 (After Hours)	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wastewater Treatment Plant	Public Works Department	209-538-5732	Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tree Related Service	Public Works Department	209-538-5732 or 209-538-5712 (After Hours)	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Traffic Signal/Street Light Repairs	Public Works Department	209-538-5732 or 209-538-5712 (After Hours)	Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

8. What is a tampering penalty?

If a customer's service is shut off for nonpayment and the customer tampers with the service by reconnecting it, a tampering charge of $100 is assessed. For each additional occurrence the charge is increased to $200.

9. What are the utility service rates?

View our Utility Fee Schedule (PDF). For information on multi-family, industrial, commercial, service connections outside of the City limits, and low income rates call the Finance Department at 209-538-5757.

10. What are the ways I can pay my utility bill?

1. The City of Ceres Finance Department offers an EASY way to PAY! You can pay your Ceres utility bill online. With online bill pay, you can:
   • Get e-mail notification when your billing statement is available.
   • Access your utility bill and billing statement online.
   • Pay your bill quickly.
   • Sign Up Now!
2. Mail to the City using the envelope provided in the utility bill.
3. There is also a drive-up bill payment box located at City Hall on the corner of Second and Magnolia Streets. A traffic lane on the right side of the box allows you to easily deposit payments from the driver’s side of your vehicle.
4. Pay in person at the counter of the Finance Department located at 2220 Magnolia Avenue.

11. How does the City Garbage collection program work?

Customers are provided a green container for garbage and a blue container for items that can be recycled. The green waste-wheelers are picked up on a weekly basis. The residential blue recycle-toters are picked up bi-weekly. Customers are assigned a pick-up day depending on their location. Commercial Recycling is collected weekly.

12. Does Ceres have a leaf pick-up program?

Yes, residential loose leaves and limbs are collected every other week. Collection of leaves and limbs occurs on the same day as your recycling day. Please refer to your colored recycling schedule for dates. If you have misplaced your Recycling schedule, contact the Engineering Services Department, at 209-538-5792.

In order for your residential leaves and limbs to be collected, place leaves and limbs (in lengths of 4 feet or less and no larger than 6 inches in diameter) on the street, one foot from the gutter at least one day before your collection day. Do not place leaves and limbs in blue recycling toter.

13. Does Ceres have a program for curbside pick-up of bulky items?

Yes, by appointment, 209-537-1500. The program is for Ceres residents living in single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and four-plexes on one piece of property. The program is not for apartment complexes, businesses, industries, schools, churches, or residents living outside of Ceres. The program provides a convenient way to get rid of certain items that cannot fit into waste-wheelers. The program can be used twice each calendar year, and has specific requirements.

14. What does a Sewer Collection System consist of and what are some of the common causes of Sewer Overflows?

View our Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Fact Sheet (PDF).

15. My sewer line is backing up in my house. Will the City unplug my line?

The City will confirm the blockage is not in their own main line; however, the homeowner is responsible for any lateral line that runs off the main line to their homes or businesses.

16. I've had a plumber come several times and said there are tree roots in my sewer line. What can I do to help this problem without replacing the line?

Once the line is clean there are products at your local hardware store that you can put down your sewer lateral to prevent the tree roots from returning.

17. Where is my house lateral line located?

With homes built within the last 25 years there will be an "S" or "L" stamped on the curb in front of the house. Those will be located within about 1 foot on either side of where the line is located behind the sidewalk.

18. Where are the clean-outs for my house lateral line located?

With homes built within the last 25 years there should be two clean-outs. One should be just behind the sidewalk and one should be next to the house.

19. Where does our water come from?

City of Ceres drinking water is a combination of both groundwater and surface water.
 
 

20. Is the City of Ceres water tested on a regular basis?

Yes, the California Department of Public Health, Office of Drinking Water requires the City to monitor the water supply on a weekly basis for disease-causing or pathogenic, bacteriological contamination.

21. Does the City have a water conservation program and how does this impact me?

For information on the Web Portal and signing up to monitor your water use call 209-538-5732. Ceres has established a water conservation program and is committed to an ongoing effort to protect our water resources. Customers with even-numbered street addresses are permitted to water lawns on Tuesday and Saturday. Customers with odd-numbered street addresses are permitted to water lawns and landscape on Wednesday and Sunday. No watering is allowed on any day between the hours of 12 noon and 7 p.m. No watering is allowed on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

22. My water has a bad smell, like something rotten. Will the City come out and check the problem?

Yes, we will come to your home and advise you. A large percentage of the time it is from the hot water heater Anode Rods which collect calcium and minerals from the water.

23. Will the City come and repair a leak by my meter?

The City staff will come out and determine if it is the City's or the homeowner's responsibility.

24. My water is a milky color. What could be wrong with it?

Milky looking water is from air in the water. Pour a glass of water and let it set. The water color will clear up if air is present.

25. Will the City repair my leaky or broken water service?

The City's responsibility is only up to and including the meter box.

26. Can I turn my water on or off at the meter valve?

No, that meter and valve is under City staff control. You can call 209-538-5732 during normal office hours and staff will come out at no charge to turn your water off or back on.

27. What happens to the sewer water after it goes down the drain?

The water flows through a system of underground pipes from your house, to under the street where it is combined with water from other households and enters the wastewater collection system. The collection system then conveys the water to the City's Wastewater Reclamation Facility.

28. Why would my water bill go up a lot in one month (only metered, mostly commercial accounts)?

You may have a leak in your fixtures or toilets. Note: A dripping faucet or fixture can waste three gallons a day for a total of 1,095 gallons a year.

Water Waste Figured Per Quarter at 60 PSI Water Pressure

Size of Drip	Gallons of Wasted Water
1/4 of an inch	1,181,500
3/16 of an inch	666,000
1/8 of an inch	296,000
1/16 of an inch	74,000

29. My water pressure is low. What can I check myself before calling the City?

Make sure your gate valve is fully open. Clean the screens in your faucets. If you still have a problem with low pressure, the City will come out and check it.

30. Who regulates Ceres Drinking Water?

The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water regulates public drinking water systems in California in conjunction with the Environment Protection Agency.

31. How is the new surface water project being funded?

This project is being funded by a combination of state grants and low-interest loans which reduced the cost to Ceres water rate payers. The current water rates were approved by ratepayers of the City of Ceres in 2017.