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Frequently Asked Questions
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| Are water restrictions still in effect? |
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| Why does my water sometimes appear to have a yellowish tint? |
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| Why does my water smell like bleach? |
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| Why does my water sometimes have a bad odor? |
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| What if the odor persists in my hot water tap, but not my cold water tap? |
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| My neighbor's water is fine, but mine smells or appears discolored? |
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| How do I get water and/or sewer service to my house if I am currently on a well and septic tank? |
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| What do I do if I turn on my tap and nothing comes out? |
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| How do I find out if water and sewer are available to a vacant parcel of land? |
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| Why is my water pressure low? |
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| Contact Telephone Numbers. |
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| Who do I call to have a street sign installed? |
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| Who do I call to report a street light problem? |
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| Who do I call to report a traffic light problem? |
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| Who do I call to report a drainage problem? |
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| Who do I call to report a pot-hole? |
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| Who do I call to report a sidewalk in need of repair? |
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| Who do I call to request information on Street Closures for Special Events? |
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| Are water restrictions still in effect? |
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Yes, Phase 3 water restrictions are in effect until further notice. See South Florida Water Management District for details. |
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| Why does my water sometimes appear to have a yellowish tint? |
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| The city operates water supply wells located west of town where naturally occurring elements from decaying vegetation seep into the water table. While harmless to consumers, these elements can cause treated water to have a yellowish appearance or color. These elements pose no health hazard and their effect on drinking water is aesthetic only. |
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| Why does my water smell like bleach? |
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| A faint bleach odor in the city's water is the result of the use of chlorine as the primary method of disinfecting the water supply for prevention of waterborne disease causing bacteria. A minimum level of chlorine in the water system is maintained to ensure complete disinfection when the water reaches your tap. |
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| Why does my water sometimes have a bad odor? |
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| Even after water has been treated and disinfected, its quality can degrade if it is allowed to remain in the water main pipes too long. Insufficient flow in a water pipe can allow the treated water to become stagnant and form odor-causing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. This can occur anytime water in a pipe stops flowing, e.g., in a dead end line or in your plumbing if you are away from home for extended periods of time. If you notice an odor like rotten eggs in your water, let it run for ten to fifteen minutes. This reestablishes the flow in the pipes drawing in fresh water and the odor should disappear. |
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| What if the odor persists in my hot water tap, but not my cold water tap? |
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| This condition generally, results from a water heater in need of maintenance or replacement. Water heaters should be flushed and serviced on a regular basis to inhibit corrosive build ups that can cause odor or discoloration of water |
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| My neighbor's water is fine, but mine smells or appears discolored? |
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| If the condition is limited to your hot water, check your water heater for needed maintenance. If both hot and cold water taps are affected and you have a water softening or filtration system, check your softener or filter for needed maintenance. |
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| How do I get water and/or sewer service to my house if I am currently on a well and septic tank? |
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| You will need to contact a licensed plumber to submit a permit application to the building department. An application for water and sewer will also have to be submitted to the utility billing department along with the appropriate fees. The meter installation will then be scheduled through the Water and Sewer Network Division. |
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| What do I do if I turn on my tap and nothing comes out? |
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| The first thing you should do is check to see if there are any valves on the outside of the house which may be turned off. If not, contact the Utility Billing Department at 243-7119 to see if water was turned off intentionally. If Utility Billing did not shut the water off, contact our Water and Sewer Network Division and a representative will be dispatched to further investigate the problem. |
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| How do I find out if water and sewer are available to a vacant parcel of land? |
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| You can contact the Utility Department and ask for the manager of the Water and Sewer Network. Once you provide him with the location of the property he will be able to determine what water and sewer service is available. |
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| Why is my water pressure low? |
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| Many areas of Delray have older galvanized pipes for water services on both the City side of the meter as well as the customer side of the meter. The older galvanized pipe tends to build up calcium deposits over time and the diameter of the pipe is substantially decreased. This restricts the volume of flow through the pipe and reduces the pressure. When we encounter older galvanized services in the field, we replace them from the main to the meter with new polyethylene pipe. If it is determined that the pipe on the customer side of the meter is galvanized, we recommend that the customer hire a plumber to replace the pipe from the meter to the house. Other low-pressure problems can be attributed to peak demand periods, such as early morning hours. The City currently administers a Water Main Upgrade Program to replace over capacity mains with larger pipes to help alleviate chronic low pressure problems. |
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| Contact Telephone Numbers. |
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Water Treatment and Storage (Water Treatment Plant) is responsible for providing the City with a safe potable water supply. This consists of treating well water using the lime softening process and monitoring microbiologic levels in treated and untreated water to meet the specifications of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Water Treatment Plant is also the point of contact for after–hour utility emergencies. Call (561) 243-7318:
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To report odors in drinking water
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To report water leaks (after (4:30 P.M.)
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To report sewage leaks (after 4:30 P.M.)
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To report lift station odors (after 4:30 P.M.)
Water & Sewer Network is responsible for monitoring commercial businesses which produce hazardous materials, (i.e.: motor oil, cooking grease, antifreeze, etc.) which maybe introduced into the sanitary sewer or storm drainage system. This program consists of identifying and monitoring the disposal procedures of such businesses. The Backflow Prevention Program and Laboratory Services are also under this division. Call (561) 243-7318:
- To report illegal dumping of sanitary manholes
- To request hydrant meters for construction
- To get information regarding plumbing companies authorized install of backflow
Water Distribution is responsible for ensuring the water flowing from the Water Treatment Plant reaches the City's residents and businesses. This is accomplished by the maintenance of water lines, installation of water meters, repair of meter boxes, and locating underground water lines. Call (561) 243-7312:
- To report leaks in the meter box (when leak is in the line, which extends from the water main to the water meter box).
- To report cracked or missing meter boxes or meter box lids
- To request line locations prior to digging near utility lines you must call Sunshine at 1-800-432-4770
Questions regarding water bills should be directed to (561) 243-7100. Wastewater Collection is responsible.for the maintenance of sanitary sewer lines. This program consists of television inspection of sewage lines; chemically treating sewer lines to remove tree roots and grease build up; and, jetting to remove line obstructions. This division is also responsible for the maintenance of the City's manholes. Call (561) 243-7312:
- To report clogged sewer lines (which causes sewage to back up in to bathtubs/showers and sinks)
- To report missing manhole covers
- To report sinking manholes
Water and Lift Station Maintenance is responsible for the maintenance of the electrical and mechanical systems inside of the Water Treatment Plant, repump stations, raw water wells and lift stations. Call (561) 243-7306:
- To report odors coming from lift stations
- To report noise coming from the pumps located in or near lift stations or raw water wells.
The Engineering Division is responsible for the design of public utility, Capital Improvement, and Bond projects. Call (561) 243-7322:
- To inquire on project schedules
- To report inappropriate activities by city contractors
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| Who do I call to have a street sign installed? |
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Please send a written request to the Assistant City Manager at the following address.
Assistant City Manager
City of Delray Beach
100 NW First Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444 |
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| Who do I call to report a street light problem? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561)243-7334; after hours or on weekends, please contact FPL at (561) 640-2439. Please note that it is most helpful to have the pole number when reporting these lights. |
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| Who do I call to report a traffic light problem? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561) 243-7334; after hours or on weekends, please contact Palm Beach County, (561) 233-3900. |
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| Who do I call to report a drainage problem? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561) 243-7334; after hours or on weekends, please contact (561) 243-7800. |
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| Who do I call to report a pot-hole? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561) 243-7334; after hours or on weekends, please call (561) 243-7800. |
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| Who do I call to report a sidewalk in need of repair? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561) 243-7334. |
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| Who do I call to request information on Street Closures for Special Events? |
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| During normal business hours, please contact Public Works at (561) 243-7334. |
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