No Water in the House in Gardena: Utility Problem or Your Water Line?
When no tap in the house has water, the first job is to work out which side of the meter the problem is on.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.
The short answer
If no tap in the house has water, find out whether the problem is on the utility side or your side. Check more than one tap, ask a neighbor whether they have water, and contact Golden State Water, the water utility for Gardena. If neighbors have water and the utility reports no work in your area, check that your main shut-off valve is fully open, then look at the meter and the ground between the meter and the house.
Step 1: Is it just your home?
- Try more than one tap. If only one fixture has no water, the cause is usually that fixture or its supply valve, not the main line.
- Ask a neighbor. If nearby homes also have no water, an interruption such as a main break or planned work is more likely.
- Contact the utility. Golden State Water lists a Customer Service line staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (1-800-999-4033 or 909-394-2272) on its contact page. They can tell you whether there is an outage or repair in your area.
If you see water gushing at the meter or in the street, call the utility right away. That part of the system is not yours to repair.
Step 2: If neighbors have water, check your side
- The main shut-off valve. Make sure the valve where the line enters the house is fully open. A valve left partly closed after a repair can cause very low flow.
- A pressure regulator, if you have one. Some homes have a pressure-reducing valve near the main valve. A failed one can drop pressure across the whole house. See low water pressure in the whole house.
- The meter. Look at the meter box near the street. If the leak indicator spins while every fixture is off, water is going somewhere. Our meter leak check explains how to read it.
- The ground. Walk the path between the meter and the house. A soggy patch, water bubbling up, sunken soil or the sound of running water can point to a break in the service line.
Don't dig, and don't open or adjust anything inside the meter box. The meter belongs to the utility.
Step 3: Utility side or your side?
Golden State Water's FAQ says the utility maintains the pipes up to the water meter, and that leaks or issues beyond the meter are the property owner's responsibility. Our responsibility guide explains how Rule No. 16 divides the line. If you're unsure where a leak sits, ask the utility before you pay for a repair.
- Leak or break in the street, in the meter box, or before the meter: report it to Golden State Water.
- Leak between the meter and the house: this is usually the property owner's water service line, and a plumbing provider would assess it.
Common causes at a glance
| What you notice | Possible cause | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Whole street has no water | Main break or planned utility work | Golden State Water |
| Only your house, no leak signs | Main valve not fully open | Check the valve yourself |
| Low water everywhere, no leak signs | Failed pressure regulator or restricted older pipes | A plumbing provider |
| Wet yard, running sound, meter moving | Break in the water service line | A plumbing provider |
| Water at the meter box or in the street | Utility-side leak | Golden State Water |
| Account or billing notice | Service turned off at the meter | Golden State Water |
What a provider will usually check
A provider typically confirms pressure at the main valve, looks at any regulator, and tries to locate the leak, sometimes with listening equipment (see leak detection). If the service line is broken, the options are usually a spot repair or a replacement. Compare them in repair vs. replacement.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Utility contact details come from Golden State Water's contact page and may change. Gardena Water Line Pros is a referral service, not a plumbing contractor.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do I have no water but my neighbors do?
The cause is usually on your property: a closed or partly closed main valve, a failed pressure regulator, or a break in your water service line. If the utility confirms there is no work in your area, check your valve and look for wet ground between the meter and the house.
Who do I call in Gardena when there is no water?
For outages, leaks at the street or meter, and account questions, contact Golden State Water. For a problem between the meter and your house, a plumbing provider is usually the right call.
Can a broken water line cause no water at all?
Yes. A major break in the service line can drop pressure so much that little or no water reaches the fixtures. You will often see wet or bubbling ground, or hear running water, along the line's path.
Should I turn off the main valve if I see water coming up in the yard?
Closing your main shut-off valve may stop water from reaching the house plumbing, but it will not stop a leak located before that valve. Contact the utility if water is flowing at the meter or in the street.
No water and the utility says it's not them?
Call to be connected with an independent provider, when one is available, to look at the line between your meter and your house.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.