Who supplies your water in Covina
Covina does not have one water company. The City of Covina Water Division serves about 33,300 people through roughly 8,500 connections, and the city also lists Golden State Water, Suburban Water Systems, Valencia Heights Water, Azusa Light and Water and Glendora Water as purveyors for parts of the area.
So your first job in a supply emergency is to read your bill. The name on it is who to call about a street leak or a meter problem, and the city's purveyor list can confirm it. Your own main valve works the same whichever company sends the water.
Before you hire anyone, ask whether the crew works to ANSI/IICRC S500, the industry's published water damage standard.
Where the leak is decides who to call
Responsibility changes at the meter and again at the property line. This is the general split, and your provider and city can confirm the details.
| Where the water is | Who is usually responsible | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Leak at the street or the meter | The water provider on your bill | That provider |
| Leak after the meter, inside the house | The homeowner | A restoration crew and a plumber |
| Sewer backup affecting several homes | The city sewer system | City Public Works |
| Backup from your own lateral | The homeowner, per the city | A plumber, and a crew for cleanup |
| Rebuild after drying | The homeowner | A licensed contractor |
The city says homeowners own the house lateral. Ask the city if you are unsure where yours ends.
When water is spreading in Covina
Water moves faster than most people expect. In an hour it can run under baseboards and into the wall cavity. Close the main valve, then call our dispatch line, which is open around the clock every day.
A crew brings extraction units, air movers, LGR dehumidifiers, a moisture meter and a thermal camera. We start with the wettest, most absorbent materials, since carpet pad and drywall are hardest to save. See emergency water removal for what the pumping stage involves.
If water is still spreading
Keep it simple and stay safe. Do the steps you can reach.
- Main valve firstClose it all the way, then open a faucet at the lowest point to drain what is left in the lines.
- Power only if safeSwitch off breakers for wet rooms only if the panel is dry. If water reaches outlets or the panel, call 911 or the utility and stay out.
- Clear the floorLift boxes, rugs, shoes and electronics. Take furniture cushions off wet sofas and prop them to dry.
- Protect people and petsKeep everyone out of water that came from a drain, toilet or outside. Gloves and boots are the minimum if you must enter.
- Call the 24/7 lineGive the address, source and affected rooms. If you are not sure where the water is coming from, say so.
Call the dispatch line and describe what you see. Call at midnight or noon, and a coordinator will line up a crew.
Sewer laterals and permits in Covina
Per the city, the Public Works sewer division maintains the local sewer system and homeowners own the house lateral. That means a backup that reaches only your fixtures is usually your pipe, while one that hits the street needs a report to the city.
Permits go through the City of Covina Building and Safety Division. One catch: some Covina-mailing addresses sit in unincorporated LA County and use the county for permits, per the city's building page. Confirm which office covers your address before you rebuild. California also requires a contractor licence once a job hits $1,000 or needs a permit, so check water damage repair contractors on the CSLB site.
What we cannot tell you about your block
We found no flood zone, creek or drainage facts for Covina that we can stand behind, so we will not guess. Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the city about drainage on your street.
Insurance works the same way anywhere. Sudden and accidental water damage is often covered, long-term leaks often are not, and flood is usually excluded. Check your policy, tell your insurer promptly, and keep photos and receipts. If damp drywall has been wet for days, our mold remediation page explains next steps.
Covina ZIP codes and coverage
Covina uses 91722, 91723 and 91724, all with Covina as the preferred city. City Hall at 125 E. College Street is in 91723. Covina is southwest of La Verne, and we confirm coverage by street address when you call.
Covina service area map
Covina water damage questions
Yes. The dispatch line answers 24 hours a day, every day, nights and weekends included. We do not promise an arrival time, because conditions and call volume change. We tell you what to do while you wait.
Yes, we serve 91722, 91723 and 91724. City Hall on East College Street is in 91723. Give us your street address and we confirm coverage, including for addresses with a Covina mailing name.
Check your bill. The city's Water Division serves part of Covina, and several other purveyors serve other areas. The city publishes a purveyor list, and city staff can tell you which one covers your address.
Per the city, Public Works maintains the local sewer system and homeowners own the house lateral. If only your fixtures back up, expect the lateral to be yours. If neighbors are affected, report it to the city.
It can. The city says some Covina-mailing addresses are in unincorporated LA County and use the county for permits. Ask the city's Building and Safety Division which office covers your address before you start repairs.
Sudden and accidental damage is often covered, long-term leaks often are not and flood is usually excluded. Ask your insurer, and do not throw away damaged items before the adjuster has seen them.
Often several days, since materials, humidity and the amount of water all change the schedule. Moisture readings decide when equipment comes out, not the calendar. Wet carpet pad and drywall are often removed if they cannot dry in place.