The average person does not consider their plumbing until something goes wrong in their kitchen or bathroom. However, plumbing is much more complicated than this surface-level situation. It’s the complete piping system that controls the water we use. This system aims to keep used or dirty water separate from clean water. Most municipalities use three main plumbing systems: potable water, sanitary drainage, and storm drainage.
Potable Water System
Potable water, more commonly known as drinking water or tap water, is suitable for human consumption and used for sanitary purposes like drinking fountains, showers, cooking, and sinks. This system transports potable water into your home or business and is made up of pipes from the city water grid or a well.
In Chula Vista, California, water delivered to Sweetwater Authority consumers comes from a variety of sources. About 70% of the water is obtained from local water supplies, including the San Diego Groundwater Formation and Sweetwater River.
Sanitary Drainage System
While the potable water system brings water into a building, the sanitary drainage system removes wastewater or sewage to an approved disposal point like a wastewater treatment plant or septic tank.
Wastewater from Chula Vista is collected in eight regional drainage basins. It’s then transported to the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego.
Storm Drainage System
During heavy rainfall, gutters redirect water away from a building and into storm drains that also collect excess water on the ground. The storm drainage system is meant to divert rainwater away from residential and commercial areas to nearby bodies of water.
In Chula Vista, California, 1.7 million feet of pipe, 1.6 million feet of storm channels, 19,000 access points, and 150 other miscellaneous structures compose the storm drain system.
Since entire plumbing systems can be complex, it’s never wrong to contact a professional if you find yourself in need of assistance.