Engineering

The Water Engineering Public Counter will be closed on the following days in December 2025: 

Monday, 12/22/2025 - Friday, 01/02/2026.

Regular Public Counter hours will resume on Monday, 01/05/2026.

Cross Connection Control Program (Backflow Prevention)

The City of Santa Cruz maintains a backflow prevention and cross-connection control program in accordance with the requirements of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code, the provisions of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 16.04.420 and Water Department Policy Statement No. 3 relating to the protection of the public water supply.

Customers are responsible for having any devices installed under these provisions periodically inspected and tested by a person approved by the Department to perform such inspections and tests. Devices shall be tested at least once per year, or at the minimum time interval specified by Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations (latest revision), whichever is more frequent. The customer will be notified by the Department when inspections and tests are required, and records of such inspections and tests shall be reported to the Department when completed. The cost of any inspections shall be the sole responsibility of the customer.

• Back Flow Prevention Information(PDF, 207KB)
• Certified Testers - Backflow Assemblies(PDF, 59KB)
• USC List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies
• Effective as of 2025: New Fire Service Backflow Device Installations(PDF, 342KB)

Standard Specifications

• Water System Standard Specifications (December 2009 Revision)(PDF, 3MB)
• Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Water Department Standard Specifications (October 2002 Revision)(PDF, 284KB)

2025 Update

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has updated the cross-connection control policy handbook which effects fire service installation requirements for the City of Santa Cruz, and its customers. SCWD Standard Details 4A and 9A have been revised to comply with the new regulations. For more information visit the SWRCB website.

Revised Standard Details (January 2025)

• Detail 4A - Domestic X Fire Combo Service Installation(PDF, 128KB)
• Detail 9A - Vertical 2 in & Smaller Fire Service Backflow Installation(PDF, 86KB)
• Detail 2 - Meter Box Installation(PDF, 129KB)
• Detail 8 - Smaller Backflows(PDF, 61KB)
• Approved List of 2 in & Smaller Double -Check Backflow Devices(PDF, 420KB)

System Development Charges

City Council has determined that a development impact fee for the connection of new services to the water system, the "system development charge" will be charged.

The system development charge is payable following the issuance of any permit resulting in a new connection to the water system or increased meter size. Such fee is necessary to pay for additional demand's proportional share of the system expansion costs essential to provide water to the new or additional service.

The basis for these charges are found in Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 16.14.

Water Facilities Installation and Miscellaneous Fees(PDF, 337KB)
This document contains the fees for the following services:

• Water System Development Charges
• Sewer Connection Fees
• Charges for Installation of Water Meters
• Water Facilities Plan Review/Inspection/Permit Fees
• Landscape/Irrigation Plan Review Fees
• Water Service Fees for:
  • Bulk Water (from Bulk Water Station or Hydrant Meter)
  • Records Research
  • Unauthorized Connection Fee
  • Fee for Insufficient Notification of Cancellation, Postponement and/or Rescheduling of Contractor-Requested Assistance

Installation of Water Services

If the application is made for service to a property where no service connection has been installed, but a distribution main of adequate capacity is adjacent to the property, the applicant, in addition to making application for service shall comply with the regulations governing the installation of service.

If a principal part of the premises to be served does not front on an available water main of adequate capacity, replacement of this main to the applicant's premises will be required before an application for service may be accepted. In determining whether the portion of an applicant's premises lying directly along the main constitutes principal frontage, the water department director's decision shall be final.

• Applicant-Initiated Water Main Extension Information(PDF, 66KB)
• Replacement of Inadequate Water Main Information(PDF, 166KB)
• (PDF, 132KB)Water Service Installation Approved Contractors List(PDF, 551KB)
• (PDF, 201KB)Pipe Freezing Approved - Water Service Installation Approved Contractors List(PDF, 57KB)
• Approved Contractor Application(PDF, 101KB)
• Replacing Master Meter with Multiple Meters Information(PDF, 155KB)
• Meter Downsizing Information(PDF, 49KB)
• Hydrant Installation Permit Requirements(PDF, 9KB)
• Hydrant Meter Application and Fees Handout(PDF, 585KB)