Plumbers in Fontana, CA

North of Riverside along the I-15 corridor

Fontana is in San Bernardino County, about 11 miles north of Riverside in a straight line, and counted 208,393 residents in the 2020 Census. Sierra Avenue is the main north-south spine past City Hall, Valencia, Cherry and Randall avenues cross the city, and I-15 runs along its western side.

Five water companies, one map

The City of Fontana says five companies provide water, each in a defined area: Fontana Water Company (a division of San Gabriel Valley Water Company), Cucamonga Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Marygold Mutual Water Company and Crawford Canyon Mutual Water Company. The city's water service boundaries map shows the lines. If you are unsure, the city suggests calling Fontana Water Company first at (909) 822-2201; its emergency number, staffed day and night, is (909) 428-8746.

Fontana Water Company draws on Lytle Creek surface flow, wells in the Lytle, Rialto and Chino basins, and State Water Project water bought through the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. Its water quality report is on its regulatory page; hardness was not on the fact sheet for this page, so ask the provider before sizing a softener.

Shutting the water off the right way

Fontana Water Company says the angle stop and meter valve are company property. Customers should close the home's own gate valve instead of the meter valve, which is worth knowing before a pipe bursts. Ownership of lines on the property follows the company's Rule 16. If your house has no working gate valve, adding one is a small job a plumber can do while on site for something else.

The company also runs a cross connection control program. Commercial, landscape and fire service connections need backflow testing, as do certain homes with a non-potable auxiliary supply. The company performs the first test, and the owner maintains the device and files an annual test and maintenance report.

Sewer and housing

Sewer collection is billed by the City of Fontana Sewer Service, 16860 Valencia Avenue, (909) 350-7670, and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency treats the wastewater. City code requires buildings within 200 feet of a public sewer to connect at the owner's expense. Census survey data put Fontana's median year built at about 1989, so most homes are on slabs with copper or plastic supply lines, and water heaters, valves, slab leaks and clogs make up most calls.

Permits and gas

Building & Safety is at 8353 Sierra Avenue, (909) 350-7640, open Monday through Thursday, and takes applications online through Build Fontana or at the counter. SoCalGas serves the city. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside.

What is different from Riverside

Inside Riverside one public utility serves most addresses. In Fontana the provider can change from one tract to the next. When you call the number on this page, tell us the problem and your water company if you know it, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Fontana. Cost and timing are between you and the plumber.