Technical Information

The responsibility for water usage and any related leaks resides with the property owner.

Immediate detection of water leaks is essential for maintaining a minimal rate charge. The SBCWD recommends that those ratepayers who do not reside permanently at their Stinson Beach property (i.e., rentals or seasonal use) turn their water off when they are not at home (unless there is a fire sprinkler system) and hire a qualified maintenance contractor to periodically examine water lines, check meter readings, inspect grounds for leaks, etc. Irrigation systems should be checked on a regular basis, as they are the major cause of undetected extensive leaks which result in extremely high water bills.

Customers are reminded to plant and irrigate conservatively. 

Deep-rooted native plants, easily available at local plant nurseries, are far better suited to the sandy, porous soils and coastal microclimate of Stinson Beach. We recommend focusing on maintaining appropriate plantings rather than investing in landscaping better suited to a wet climate.

DID YOU KNOW? 

A leak of 1.2 gallons per minute (equivalent of a single kitchen or bathroom faucet) with otherwise normal water usage would equate to a total monthly usage of over 55,000 gallons! The monthly water usage fee alone for this amount of water would be over $1,400. Please monitor your water usage and periodically check for leaks by using the free on-line Eye on Water portal.

Customers can set up a personalized mobile or desktop online portal to monitor their water usage at https://eyeonwater.beaconama.net/signin.

Create an Account

Sign up with:

• Your email address
• Your account number (located at the top left corner of your Water Bill), and
• Stinson Beach Zip code 94970

How to Use the Eye on Water App
How to Create a Leak Alert

Recommendations:

• Here is where you can create a leak alert. The District recommends selecting "Intermittent Flow"
  
• And, one gallon per hour
  

Each home in our community has its own onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) to treat wastewater, and each OWTS has a Discharge Permit that limits how much wastewater flow can be treated at any given time. Flow rates exceeding these permit limits is referred to as “shock loading” and can result in substantial and expensive damage to your OWTS.

Large groups taking morning showers or doing several large loads of laundry on the same day are examples of shock loading.  Shock loading your OWTS is a violation of your Discharge Permit subject to the enforcement provisions in Chapter 4.05 of the District's Onsite Wastewater Management Code.

If you want to view a copy of your Discharge Permit, or find out what the wastewater flow rate limit is for your system, contact us at info@stinsonwater.org or at (415) 868-1333.

Trees or large shrubs should not be planted on or near sand filters, leach fields or mounds. Other plants have roots that can cause physical damage, or retain too much water that clogs pipes. The District has developed a Landscape Selection Guide to assist you in selecting appropriate plants that are safe to use around your OWTS.

More information is available in our Landscape Selection Guide

Remember to “Dump It, Flip It and Drain It” to eliminate all standing water.

In order to control mosquito breeding, the District requires that all property owners install a screening device on any plumbing vents that vent to the roof of the residence. The District recommends this installation be performed by a licensed contractor such as a roofer, chimney sweep, or maintenance person, with adequate liability insurance. Screening kits are available at the District office. The SBCWD wastewater system inspector will be checking your roof vents for screening as well as your septic tank riser seals to ensure that they are watertight to discourage mosquito breeding. The property owner may wish to check their own riser lids for adequate sealing. Contact the District at info@stinsonwater.org if you have any questions about this process.