New Hope

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1. How do I shut off my water? Your master shut-off valve is typically located at the exterior of your home. It may be in front, at the side, or in the yard. Look for a hose-bib (outdoor faucet) with a pipe rising from the ground. The valve is situated on that pipe between the ground and the hose bib. Most residential valves have either a wheel (gate valve) or a straight handle (ball valve) for operation.
2. How can I detect a leak? The simplest method is to turn off all faucets and ensure no water is being used anywhere (including humidifiers, air conditioners, and ice machines). Check your water meter - if the red triangle on top continues spinning, you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing. When this happens, inspect your toilets first, as they're the most common source of undetected leaks.
3. There's a leak on my property. Can the city repair it? Contact Public Works at (361) 777-4601 to verify the leak location near the meter. The city will only fix leaks up to the meter; any repairs needed on the customer's side are the property owner's responsibility.
4. What exactly is hard water? Hard water is the most prevalent issue in average homes. It's defined as water containing more than 1 GPG (grains per gallon) of dissolved minerals, typically calcium, magnesium carbonate and/or manganese. Hardness is measured in either PPM (parts per million) or GPG. The conversion is: 17.1 PPM or 17.1 Mg/L = 1 GPG, or PPM/Mg/L divided by 17.1 = GPG. New Hope's water hardness typically ranges from 1-12 gpg.
5. How does hydrogen sulfide gas form in water heaters? Water heaters create ideal conditions for converting sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas in two ways: by providing a warm environment where sulfur bacteria thrive, and by facilitating a reaction between water sulfate and the water heater anode. The anode rod (typically magnesium metal) is installed to reduce tank corrosion but can release electrons that help convert sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas. These rods are usually 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter and 30-40 inches long.
6. Does New Hope add fluoride to its municipal water? No, not directly. However, naturally occurring fluoride is present in New Hope's water, with concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million). The American Dental Association recommends optimal fluoride levels between 0.7 and 1.2 milligrams per liter for cavity prevention, so New Hope's water naturally falls within this beneficial range.
7. What is our water source? The SPMWD obtains water from the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi Reservoir System in the Nueces River Basin, fed by the Nueces, Frio and Atascosa Rivers. The Mary Rhodes Pipeline, completed in 1998, extends 101 miles from Lake Texana and delivers water to the O.N. Stevens Treatment Plant in Corpus Christi. The facility purifies water through chemical treatment, settling, filtration, and disinfection processes before distribution.
8. How can I check for a toilet leak? Adding food coloring to the tank is an effective method. If the colored water appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Common causes include overflow tubes set too high or cracked/warped flappers.
9. What should I do if my sewer is blocked? Contact the city first to determine responsibility. If it's confirmed as a homeowner issue, you'll need to call a plumber. If it's a municipal problem, the city will address it promptly.
10. Where does city maintenance responsibility end? If the issue is in the sewer lateral, the property owner is responsible. Maintenance responsibility extends from the building to the sewer main, including the connection point. City maintenance ends at the outer surface of the pipe at the sewer main where the tap connects. Locating the lateral is also the property owner's responsibility - this doesn't end at the easement or property line but at the city sewer main.