The San Jose Water Company: A History of Innovation and Customer Service

Introduction

The San Jose Water Company (SJWC) is a privately-owned water utility that has been serving the San Jose area since 1877. Over the years, the company has grown to become one of the largest water utilities in California, serving over 1 million people in San Jose and surrounding communities.

SJWC is committed to providing safe, high-quality water to its customers. The company has a long history of innovation and customer service, and it continues to invest in new technologies and programs to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

History

SJWC was founded in 1877 by a group of local businessmen who were concerned about the lack of a reliable water supply in San Jose. At the time, the city was plagued by water shortages and poor water quality.

SJWC's first water treatment plant was built in 1879 on the Guadalupe River. The plant used a slow sand filtration process to remove impurities from the river water. This process was state-of-the-art at the time, and it helped to improve the water quality in San Jose.

In the early 1900s, SJWC began to expand its service area. The company acquired several smaller water utilities in the surrounding communities, and it also built new water treatment plants and pipelines.

By the mid-20th century, SJWC had become one of the largest water utilities in California. The company continued to grow in the following decades, and it now serves over 1 million people in San Jose and surrounding communities.

Innovation

SJWC has a long history of innovation. The company was one of the first water utilities in California to use slow sand filtration, and it has continued to invest in new technologies to improve the water quality and service to its customers.

In recent years, SJWC has invested in a number of new technologies, including:

• Advanced water treatment technologies: These technologies help to remove impurities from the water, including contaminants such as lead and mercury.
• Smart water meters: These meters allow customers to track their water usage and identify leaks.
• Water conservation programs: These programs help customers to reduce their water usage, which can save them money and help to protect the environment.

Customer Service

SJWC is committed to providing excellent customer service. The company has a team of dedicated customer service representatives who are available to help customers with their water bills, water usage, and any other questions they may have.

SJWC also offers a number of programs to help customers who are struggling to pay their water bills. These programs include:

• Payment plans: These plans allow customers to spread out their payments over a period of time.
• Financial assistance: This assistance can help customers with their water bills.
• Water conservation kits: These kits can help customers to reduce their water usage, which can save them money on their water bills.

Conclusion

SJWC is a vital part of the San Jose community. The company provides safe, high-quality water to over 1 million people, and it is committed to providing excellent customer service. SJWC has a long history of innovation and customer service, and it continues to invest in new technologies and programs to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

San Jose Water Company: A Commitment to Water Conservation

SJWC is committed to water conservation. The company offers a number of programs to help customers reduce their water usage, including:

• Water conservation rebates: These rebates can help customers purchase water-efficient appliances, such as toilets, clothes washers, and dishwashers.
• Water conservation workshops: These workshops teach customers how to reduce their water usage.
• Water conservation audits: These audits can help customers identify areas where they can reduce their water usage.

SJWC's water conservation programs have helped customers to save millions of gallons of water. In 2020, the company's customers saved over 10 million gallons of water.

San Jose Water Company: A Leader in Water Quality

SJWC is a leader in water quality. The company's water meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards.

SJWC's water quality experts use state-of-the-art technology to monitor the water quality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company also has a team of dedicated water quality scientists who work to ensure that the water quality is always the highest possible.

SJWC's commitment to water quality has been recognized by a number of organizations, including the California Water Resources Control Board and the American Water Works Association.

Stories

Story 1:

In 2017, SJWC launched a new water conservation program called the WaterSmart Program. The program offers customers rebates for purchasing water-efficient appliances, such as toilets, clothes washers, and dishwashers.

Since the program was launched, customers have saved over 10 million gallons of water.

What We Learn:

The WaterSmart Program is a great example of how SJWC is using innovation to help customers reduce their water usage. The program has been very successful, and it has helped to improve the water conservation in San Jose and surrounding communities.

Story 2:

In 2019, SJWC partnered with the City of San Jose to launch a new program called the Water Wise Schools Program. The program provides schools with grants to purchase water-efficient fixtures and equipment.

The program has been very successful, and it has helped schools to reduce their water usage by an average of 20%.

What We Learn:

The Water Wise Schools Program is a great example of how SJWC is working with other organizations to promote water conservation. The program has been very successful, and it has helped to improve the water conservation in San Jose and surrounding communities.

Story 3:

In 2020, SJWC launched a new program called the Water Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance to customers who are struggling to pay their water bills.

The program has been very successful, and it has helped over 1,000 customers to pay their water bills.

What We Learn:

The Water Assistance Program is a great example of how SJWC is committed to helping customers who are struggling to pay their water bills. The program has been very successful, and it has helped to improve the water conservation in San Jose and surrounding communities.

Effective Strategies

SJWC has a number of effective strategies for promoting water conservation, including:

• Offering financial incentives: SJWC offers rebates and grants to customers who purchase water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
• Providing education and outreach: SJWC offers workshops and other educational materials to help customers learn about water conservation.
• Partnering with other organizations: SJWC partners with other organizations, such as the City of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, to promote water conservation.

These strategies have been very successful in helping SJWC to reduce water usage in San Jose and surrounding communities.

FAQs

1. What is SJWC's service area?

SJWC's service area includes the City of San Jose and surrounding communities, such as Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale.

2. How can I get a water conservation rebate?

Customers can get a water conservation rebate by purchasing a water-efficient appliance or fixture that meets SJWC's requirements. Customers can learn more about the rebates and how to apply for them on SJWC's website.

3. How can I reduce my water usage?

Customers can reduce their water usage by taking a number of steps, such as:

• Fixing leaks
• Watering their lawns less frequently
• Installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures
• Taking shorter showers

4. What is SJWC's water quality like?

SJWC's water meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards. The company's water quality experts use state-of-the-art technology to monitor the water quality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

5. What is SJWC's commitment to customer service?

SJWC is committed to providing excellent customer service. The company has a team of dedicated customer service representatives who are available to help customers with their water bills, water usage, and any other questions they may have.

6. What is SJWC's Water Assistance Program?

The Water Assistance Program provides financial assistance to customers who are struggling