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1. Where can I find more information about the modified water rates and city drought ordinances?

City council modified Solvang utility customer water and sewer rates in June 2022.  The city council also modified the drought ordinance, taking effect August 1st, 2022.  This document goes into detail on some of the FAQs.

2. Can I pay with a credit card?

The City of Solvang accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover for your convenience. You can pay online at: https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/solvangca. There is a $1.25 fee to pay online. You may also pay with a credit card in person at City Hall, or over the phone. There is a 2.25% fee to pay in person or over the phone. For more information call 805-688-5575 EXT 202.

Pay Online!

3. What is the average water use for a single family household?

The average water use for a single family household is 18 ccf (based on 2.5 persons on 1/4 acre lot).

4. Is my water meter read in gallons or cubic feet?

Water use is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are 748 gallons per ccf.

5. How many gallons in 1 cubic foot?

There are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot.

6. What kind of soft water conditioners are allowed in Solvang?

Only exchange tanks, such as from Culligan or Rayne, are permitted for Commercial customers. Effective January 1, 2022, no person shall replace or install any water softening or conditiioning equipment that discharges waste into the city sewage system, unless said water softening or conditioning equipment is a high efficiency system, with diagnostic functions, operating at an efficiency rating of not less than 4,000 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration.  Residential and Non-Residential portable exchange tank water softening or conditioning system that do not discharge waste are not prohibited. 

City of Solvang Municipal Code

7. My water has an unusual color/taste/smell. What does this mean?

White color means there are air bubbles in the water. Let the water stand and it will clear on its own. This can occur when the water level is low in city wells and the well pumps are working hard.

Brownish or red color is usually from iron and manganese sediment from pipes stirred up when city well water level is low or when hydrants or lines have been flushed.

Smell is most often chlorine which is added to the city's well water as a disinfecting agent. It will sometimes smell like sulfur if water faucets have been off for a while. Running the water to flush the lines will help.

8. Will the city give me a credit for a leak for which I'm responsible?

No, because water has gone through the meter, the user is responsible for payment. However, the city may consider crediting sewer charges over average use for commercial accounts, since water from a leak hasn't gone through the sewer.

9. Who is responsible for water leaks?

From the meter box to the street is the City's responsibility.

From the meter box to the house is the owner's responsibility.

If the leak is in the meter box, the Water Division will inspect to determine if it is the owner's or the city's responsibility.

10. Why is my water pressure low?

Low water pressure can be caused by various problems. There are a number of things you can do before calling the City to check your water pressure. See the Low Water Pressure page for information.

Water Division