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1. What is AMI technology?
2. What are the benefits of AMI for me?
3. What does the AMI project mean for me?
4. I received a letter in the mail about this project. What does it mean?
5. I received a notice on my door about this project. What does it mean?
6. I received a visual, two-sided fact sheet about the project. What does it mean?
7. Why does ACWD need to upgrade my current water meter?
8. Why is ACWD doing this AMI Project now?
9. When will my water meter be upgraded? How will I know?
10. How can I prepare for my upgrade?
11. I have a smart home water monitoring device attached to my water meter. What should I do? Is it the same as a new AMI meter?
12. Will I need to do anything to sign up to receive my AMI meter upgrade?
13. Can I make an appointment for the upgrade?
14. After my meter was upgraded/replaced, my water was discolored. Is it still safe?
15. Have other water districts implemented AMI?
16. How is ACWD responding to the current drought?
17. Is there a cost associated with these AMI improvements?
18. Will my information be secure?
19. Is AMI technology safe?
20. Is AMI technology a wise investment?
21. Will the AMI technology attach to the current manually read meter or will it be placed somewhere else on residents’ property?
22. How does the new AMI technology work, and how will the meters be read?
23. How will we be able to recognize the AMI technology installers? Will they be wearing ACWD uniforms?
24. Will ACWD be hiring installers locally?
25. How long will the installation take?
26. When will I be notified about when the installers will upgrade my meter?
27. There is someone else that has come to check my newly upgraded or replaced AMI compatible water meter, but they are not from Badger Meter or Professional Meters Inc. (PMI). Who are they?
28. I received a notice of a pre-existing customer leak. What does this mean? Why wasn’t my meter installed?
29. What if my question is not answered here?

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1. What is the purpose of the projects along Alameda Creek?
2. Why is ACWD concerned about fish in Alameda Creek?
3. How will these projects improve fish passage?
4. Who is involved?
5. When and where will construction take place?
6. What construction impacts can be expected?
7. How will construction traffic be managed?
8. Will the Alameda Creek Trail be closed during construction?
9. Will dogs still be allowed in Shinn Meadow?
10. Will fishing be impacted at Quarry Lakes or Shinn Pond?
11. What is the cost of these projects and how will they be funded?
12. What are the environmental impacts of this project?
13. Why are the creek and pond levels so low, and how will this impact fish?
14. How can I get more information?

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1. Why is ACWD upgrading its online billing and payment system?
2. When is the change taking place?
3. How will I be affected?
4. Are there fees for paying online?
5. How do I enroll?
6. I don’t want to enroll. Can I still make a payment online?
7. Why do I have to re-enroll in AutoPay or to receive an e-Bill?
8. Why can’t I enroll now?
9. Will I still be able to view my bill from my bank website?
10. What are some of the benefits of receiving my bill electronically?
11. What are some of the benefits of paying a bill online?

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1. Do I have to enter an email address to make a payment?
2. Will I receive a confirmation email that my bill has been paid?
3. Do I need to register to pay a bill?
4. What forms of payment can I use online?
5. Which bills can I pay online?
6. Are there fees for paying online?
7. I forgot my Password, how do I access my account?
8. I received an email related to my bill, but it’s not from an ACWD email address. Who is invoicecloud.net?
9. How long does it take for online payments to process?
10. How long will my payment history be maintained?
11. Why do you need the last four digits of my social security number?
12. Will I be able to print a copy of my bill?
13. Why can’t I view my bills prior to July 2018?
14. Who do I contact with questions about my bill or if I’m having trouble using the online system?
15. I accidentally deleted my current email notification, what should I do?
16. Is my information secure?
17. Is my credit card and checking account information safe when I pay online?
18. What is PCI Compliance and why is it so important?

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1. What is AutoPay?
2. What if I already have AutoPay set up with my bank?
3. What are scheduled payments?
4. What is the difference between AutoPay and a scheduled payment?
5. I’m signed up for AutoPay but do not see anything showing under “Upcoming Scheduled Payments.”
6. Can I cancel AutoPay?
7. If I sign up to Go Paperless, how will I receive my bills?
8. Can I start receiving paper bills again?
9. What is Account Linking?
10. What is Pay by Text?

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1. Why are chloramines toxic to fish?
2. Are chloramines toxic to both saltwater and freshwater fish?
3. Do chloramines pose a hazard to koi?
4. Will letting water sit for a few days cause chloramines to disappear?
5. Do chloramines have to be removed if only a small amount of water is added to an aquarium or pond to make up for evaporation loss?
6. Will a carbon filter remove chloramines?
7. Will reverse osmosis remove chloramines?
8. Will boiling remove chloramines from water?
9. Who can I contact if I have additional questions about chloramines?

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1. Why is chlorine added to the tap water?
2. What are chlorination byproducts?
3. What steps has ACWD taken to ensure that chlorination byproducts are minimized?
4. Does ACWD meet current state and federal regulations for total trihalomethanes?

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1. How do I shut off my water?
2. What is the bimonthly service charge on my water bill?
3. Whose pipes are whose?
4. What are the white spots left on my car after I wash it?
5. How do I read my water meter?
6. Where is my water meter?
7. How do I start or stop my water service?
8. How often does ACWD replace my water meter?
9. Where can I pay my water bill?
10. What are the options for paying my ACWD water bill?
11. When is my bill due?
12. Why is ACWD just now charging a late fee?
13. Why is the late fee $5?
14. How can ACWD justify the $5 charge?
15. Can the new fees or charges be waived?
16. Are accounts with a payment arrangement charged a Reminder Notice Fee?
17. I mailed my payment before the due date. Why am I being charged a late fee?
18. My payment was deducted from my bank account on/before the due date. Why am I still being charged a Reminder Notice Fee?
19. I didn’t receive the regular bill. Do I still need to pay the Reminder Notice Fee?
20. I didn’t receive the door tag. Do I still need to pay the charge?
21. Why is there a field charge?
22. Why is there a line for the Alameda County Water District on my property tax bill?

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1. Can water flow backward?

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1. Does ACWD have rebates for residential and commercial customers?
2. I have noticed water waste occurring in my neighborhood, at work, etc. How do I report it?

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1. Why is my drinking water discolored (yellow, brown, black)?
2. Is discolored water from these activities safe to drink?
3. What should I do if my drinking water becomes discolored?
4. After flushing my pipes, my cold water runs clear but my hot water is still discolored. What should I do?
5. My clothes have been stained by discolored water. What can I do to remove the stains?

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1. How do I shut off my water?
2. How do I disinfect a drain?
3. How do I heat-disinfect my water heater?
4. How do I flush a water heater?
5. I have a leak at my meter. Who is responsible for this repair, me or ACWD?
6. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

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1. How long will the water shortage emergency last and restrictions remain in place?
2. Is drought a result of climate change?
3. How do I take care of my trees?
4. What if I have special circumstances and need to use water for an item that is considered a mandatory restricion?
5. I’m already saving water. What more can I do to conserve? How am I supposed to conserve an additional 15%?
6. What are the maximum irrigation days per week allowed?
7. Why has ACWD declared a water shortage emergency?
8. What water use is prohibited during the water shortage emergency?
9. I understand the days per week that I can water my lawn is limited. How long should I water each day?
10. How did ACWD determine the irrigation schedule outlined in the drought ordinance?
11. I have noticed water waste occurring in my neighborhood, at work, etc. How do I report it?
12. What is the ban on non-functional turf for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers passed by the State of California?
13. What is "non-functional" turf?
14. How do you determine if turf is considered functional or non-functional?
15. Are there exemptions to the non-functional turf ban for commercial, industrial, or institutional properties or HOA common areas?
16. What is a water shortage emergency?
17. When will the water supply emergency go into effect?
18. Does ACWD have water use restrictions due to the drought?
19. How does the water shortage emergency and ordinance affect customers?
20. What are the voluntary water use guidelines set by the ordinance?
21. What if I see someone violating the ordinance mandatory restrictions?
22. What is the penalty for violating the ordinance?
23. What recommendations does ACWD have for landscape irrigation during drought?
24. I have noticed some parks and sports fields being irrigated more than the schedule outlined in the ordinance. Why is this happening?
25. Why is the use of decorative water fountains prohibited by ACWD's Ordinance Declaring a Water Shortage Emergency and Adopting Water Use Regulations, Restrictions, and Guidelines?
26. Do I need to let my lawn dry out? Will my lawn die due to the reduced irrigation schedule?
27. Does ACWD have enough water?
28. Why is new development and construction allowed during drought and even during this water shortage emergency?
29. I am interested in water conservation. What rebates does ACWD offer residential and commercial customers?
30. I want to put in a new lawn; if I do, will there be restrictions on how much I can water it?
31. Why doesn't your lawn removal rebate program cover artificial turf or concrete if replacing my lawn with these saves water?
32. What is ACWD doing to reduce its water use?
33. Are there any restrictions for draining and filling my pool?
34. Why is the District flushing mains in a drought?
35. Why are some fire hydrants open with water discharging?
36. Why doesn't ACWD recapture the water discharged from fire hydrants in the Main Cleaning Program?
37. Does the State of California offer a lawn removal rebate program I can participate in?
38. Will you be raising your $2/square foot rebate amount for your lawn removal program?
39. Will the District raise rates because of the drought?
40. With drought and fire season approaching, do you offer rebates for removal of other types of landscape, like trees?
41. If my water supply is terminated, how can I restore it?

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1. How can I schedule a tour of ACWD’s Water Treatment Plant No.2?
2. When should I submit the tour request form?
3. Is there an age requirement for tour participants?
4. When are tours offered and what is the time length of a tour?
5. What can I expect on the tour?
6. Is there a minimum or maximum of tour participants?
7. Do I have to submit a list of participants?
8. Is every tour participant required to sign off on a Visitor Form?

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1. Does ACWD fluoridate its water?
2. Why do you fluoridate the drinking water?
3. What is fluoride?
4. How much fluoride is added to my water?
5. How does ACWD monitor the fluoride level in my water?
6. What do health professionals say about fluoride?
7. What are the regulations on fluoridating drinking water?
8. Do statewide regulations regarding fluoridation apply to ACWD?
9. Should I use fluoride supplements?
10. Is fluoride okay for my pets?
11. If I have water filter, is it removing the fluoride?
12. If I do not want to drink fluoridated tap water, how can I remove the fluoride?
13. Which organizations endorse water fluoridation?

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1. What is lead?
2. How does it get into drinking water?
3. What is ACWD doing to keep lead out of my water?
4. How do I know ACWD's Corrosion Control Program is working?
5. What can I do to keep lead out of my water?
6. Can you test my water for me?
7. Where can I learn more about lead in drinking water?

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1. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?
2. Is my tap water safe to drink?
3. How do I start or stop my water service?

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1. What is the purpose of the Main Replacement and Seismic Upgrade Program?
2. How can I stay up to date on the construction schedule?
3. Why are the construction projects spread over multiple years?
4. Who is paying for these projects?
5. How are you managing construction traffic?
6. How will you ensure safety at project sites during construction?
7. Will the quality of the water delivered to my home be affected?

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1. What are PFAS? Per – and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
2. What are the sources of PFAS?
3. What are the health effects from PFAS?
4. What are California monitoring regulations on PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFHxS?
5. Has ACWD tested its water for PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, or PFHxS?
6. How were tests conducted?
7. How often will ACWD monitor for PFAS?
8. What is ACWD doing about treatment for PFAS?
9. How will customers be updated about future testing results?
10. Where can I find more information?

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1. What is a Public Health Goal (PHG)?
2. What is a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)?
3. What is a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)?

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1. How much water should I store?
2. Is bottled water from the grocery store suitable for storing?
3. More Water For Emergencies FAQs
4. Is it safe to store tap water for use during emergencies?
5. What type of container should I use to store the water?
6. How do I treat the tap water I am planning to store?
7. How often should I change my stored water?
8. I've used up my emergency water supply. Now what?
9. ACWD has issued a "boil water notice." What does this mean?
10. Can I purify my water with household bleach?
11. Are there any other important drinking water guidelines I should follow after a major earthquake?

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1. What is the difference between hard and soft water?
2. What is the white residue I find at the bottom of my pots and tea kettle, and around my faucet fixtures? What can I do to get rid of it?
3. Is calcium carbonate bad for me?
4. What is my water hardness in grains/gallon?