• Increase frequency of existing landscape or porter service 
• Increase waste hauling frequencies to avoid overflowing dumpsters 
• Engage your community to organize monthly volunteer litter cleanups that take place on your private property  
• Design and install signage to encourage anti-litter behavior 
• Increase service frequency or size of existing outdoor trash and recycling receptacles 
• Install more outdoor trash and recycling receptacles on the property 
• Close the Lid on Litter – Dumpster Best Management Practice 
• Landscape Maintenance Best Management Practice 
• Surface Cleaning Best Management Practice
• To ask about a “No Dumping, Flows to Bay” stencil for your storm drain inlet, contact (408) 945-3000.

Only private properties that are connected to the City’s storm sewer system are subject to the new requirements. Property owners of PLDA properties were mailed a letter by the Environmental Services Department to inform them of the new requirements.

Reference the regulations in the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit, Provision C.10.a.ii (b).

Trash DOES include (but is not limited to):

• Food wrappers and accessories (containers, utensils, condiment packets, etc.) 
• Beverage containers and accessories (i.e., straws, lids, cups, caps, tabs, stir sticks, etc.) 
• Bags and packaging (restaurant to-go bags, foam, plastic shells, etc.) 
• Paper (mail, napkins, receipts, etc.) 
• Cigarettes/vape waste
• Pieces of plastic, metal, cloth  

Trash does NOT include*: 

• Organic material such as vegetation, yard clippings, food wastes (apple cores, banana peels, etc.) or pet wastes 
• Sediments, sand, oil or grease 
• Items too large to fit in a storm drain, such as mattresses, tires, bags of trash 
  Please be aware that any of these items are prohibited from being discharged to the storm sewer system by San José Municipal Code 15.14.515. Discharging these items into a storm drain may result in enforcements and fines up to $750.  

Backflow prevention assemblies protect our water supply  from possible contamination by residential and commercial sources. Properly installed and maintained assemblies, devices, or methods protect against many conditions found in an onsite plumbing system. Muni Water recommends installing hose bib vacuum breakers on all hose bibs shown below in Figure 1. You can purchase vacuum breakers at most plumbing and hardware stores.

 
Figure 1. Vacuum Breaker home installation

Our Cross-Connection Control Program has been updated to comply with the CCCPH. Our program includes:

• Conducting and reviewing cross-connection assessments/surveys for all customers.
• If it is determined that an onsite assessment is required, then the process will be determined on a case-by-case basis and the process will be communicated to the Muni Water account holder or property owner.
• Verifying that required backflow prevention assemblies are properly installed, functioning correctly, and tested annually by certified Backflow Testers. 
  Providing public outreach and education on cross connection control and backflow prevention.

A cross-connection is any actual or potential link between your drinking water and a source of contamination, such as another water source on your property.

These are common in both residential and commercial settings. You may have a cross connection if your property includes any of the following:

• Hose bibbs without backflow protection (e.g., vacuum breakers)
• Toilet flush valves that are not properly air-gapped
• Boilers or water heaters with makeup water connections
• Landscape irrigation systems
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Private wells or alternate water supplies. This includes rainwater collection or water storage.

To protect your water quality and comply with local regulations, we recommend reviewing your plumbing system or consulting with a certified cross-connection specialist. 

View our registered list of backflow preventor testing companies here.

Visit the Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control page or contact our Backflow Prevention Team at BackFlow@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 277-3671 for more details, including:

• Educational materials and information regarding cross connection and backflow testing
• Cross Connection Survey for customers
• Registered List of Backflow Preventer Testing Companies
• Requirement for Testing and Maintenance of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
• Guidance on compliance with the CCCPH

Common reasons for a rejected inspection report include:

• Incomplete or incorrect information
• Open deficiencies that have not yet been resolved
• No evidence that the current system has been permitted

Review the reason for rejection, correct the issue, and resubmit the inspection report.

A system may continue to show as deficient until the required repair documentation has been uploaded and reviewed for compliance.

Industry standard forms are required when submitting documentation to clear a deficiency.

If the repair has been completed but the deficiency notice continues, make sure the required documentation and standardized repair form have been submitted through The Compliance Engine.

Contractors can check for open deficiencies by following these steps:

1. Log in to The Compliance Engine.
2. Select “Deficiency Tracking.”
3. Enter San José Fire Department as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
4. Enter the property address or business name to search for open deficiencies at properties where you are contracted to perform work.

If you cannot find a deficiency you are aware of, contact The Compliance Engine support team at 630-413-9511 or Support@mybrycer.com.

Open deficiencies from a prior inspection may affect whether a new inspection report can be accepted as compliant. Prior deficiencies should be corrected and properly documented before submitting a new inspection report, or the required documentation may be submitted with the current inspection report when applicable.

A system cannot be removed from The Compliance Engine simply by updating its record. Requests to remove or abandon a fire protection system require review and may require permits to ensure all records are properly updated.

For detailed information about system submittals, permits, and inspections, visit our Development Services webpage.

For software-related issues, including login problems, account access, profile updates, or changes to contact information, contact the Brycer support team at 630-413-9511 or Support@mybrycer.com.

Examples include inspection reports submitted for the wrong property, premise, system, or premise name. These errors should be reported to Brycer as soon as possible so the records can be corrected and to help prevent duplicate past-due deficiency notices or inaccurate compliance statuses.

For assistance, contact the Brycer support team at 630-413-9511 or Support@mybrycer.com.

Text to 9-1-1 is the ability to send a text message to 9-1-1 from your mobile phone or handheld device.

Text to 9-1-1 is not available everywhere and is not always available when roaming. Text to 9-1-1 is currently available in:

• San José
• Unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County
• Campbell
• Cupertino
• Gilroy
• Los Altos
• Los Altos Hills
• Los Gatos
• Milpitas
• Monte Sereno
• Mountain View
• Palo Alto
• Santa Clara
• Saratoga
• Sunnyvale

You must subscribe to your wireless carrier’s text or data plan in order to send or receive text messages. If Text to 9-1-1 is not available in your area or is temporarily unavailable, you should receive a message indicating that Text to 9-1-1 is not available and to contact 9-1-1 by other means.

Dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency is still the preferred way to request help. The public is reminded to “Call if you can. Text if you can’t.” Text to 9-1-1 is intended primarily for three emergency scenarios:

• For someone who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability.
• For someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 9-1-1.
• A medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech.

ONLY text 9-1-1 in an emergency. Prank-texters can be identified and possibly prosecuted according to local laws and regulations.

• As with all text messages, Text to 9-1-1 may take longer to receive and respond to than a voice call, does not provide the location of the texter, and could be received out of order or may not be received at all.
• Text GPS location information is not equal to current wireless location technology.
• Voice calls are real-time communication and Text to 9-1-1 is not.
• Pictures or videos cannot be received by 9-1-1 at this time.
• If you include anyone else on your Text to 9-1-1, it may not be received by 9-1-1.

At this time, translation services for Text to 9-1-1 are not available. Please text in English only. For additional information, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers a Text to 9-1-1 Translation Fact Sheet.

1. Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” or “Recipient” field.
2. The first text message to 9-1-1 should be short. Include your address, city, and type of emergency (police, fire or medical).
3. Push the “Send” button.
4. Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
5. Text in simple words. Do not use abbreviations or slang.
6. Keep text messages brief and concise.

A 9-1-1 call center should respond to the text. If Text to 9-1-1 is not available, you should receive a message from the wireless carrier stating that Text to 9-1-1 is not available and that you must place a voice or relay call to 9-1-1.

Standard text-messaging rates apply.

Text to 9-1-1 is currently only available in English.