Anyone else having low water pressure?

[Julie Torres]

Hey! I’ve noticed a significant drop in water pressure at my place starting about today. It’s affecting the whole house, not just one faucet. Is anyone else in the area experiencing this, or should I be calling a plumber? Thanks in advance!

[Alan Gould]

Julie: what street are you on...and which block?

    Your question is very location dependent.

Everyone else: 
    Do not respond to Julie's message unless she verifies what block she's in, and even then, be cautious.

It's possible that she's initiating a scam. Here is an AI-Gemini result for the query

"scam - 'Anyone else having low water pressure?'"

This is a highly recognized utility scam designed to gain entry to your home or steal your personal information.

How the Scam Works

• The Bait: Scammers post on community apps (like Nextdoor or Facebook Groups) asking, "Anyone else having low water pressure?"
• The Hook: They trick worried neighbors into engaging with the post.
• The Sting: Once you reply, they direct message you claiming a "local plumber" or "utility worker" is in the area, or they show up at your door pretending to fix the fake issue to demand immediate payment or rob your home.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify directly: Call your city water department using the number on your official utility bill, never a number provided in a social media comment. [1, 2]
• Check official maps: Most legitimate water utility companies post active service interruptions and maintenance schedules on their official websites.
• Keep doors locked: Never allow an unannounced utility worker into your home without verifying their employee ID with the utility company first. [1, 2]
• Report the post: Flag the post as a scam or fraud on the platform where you saw it to protect your neighbors.

[Alan Gould]

You may recall a number of months ago we had a flurry of "duct cleaning" posts from new LOCCNA group members. 

Since then, I implemented a policy of allowing new members only in "Moderated" status, meaning I had to approve any messages they wanted to post.  There were 20 such "duct cleaning" cases that you never were troubled with because I did not allow those messages through and I removed those people from the group.  I've allowed Julie's message through mainly to give me the opportunity to inform you all of this current policy that we have. Also to alert everyone to the possibility of "low water pressure" scams. Depending on Julie's response, she may or may not be in the group going forward. This is the first time I've ever heard of the idea of a "low water pressure" scam.  -Alan

[Alan Gould]

One more thing. In considering the possibility that Julie's message is not a scam attempt, I queried AI-Gemini 

"Anyone else having low water pressure?" ...without "scam" in the prompt...and got this result:

To see if a water problem is local to your area, check your municipal utility provider's outage map or local neighborhood groups. If it is just your home, the issue is likely a closed main shut-off valve, a clogged aerator, or a faulty pressure regulator. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

How to Check the Cause

Ask neighbors: See if nearby homes share the same drop in pressure.
Check multiple taps: Test if the issue affects only one sink or the whole house.
Inspect valves: Ensure your main water shut-off valve is fully open.
Clean aerators: Remove mineral or sediment buildup on faucet tips

[David Dempster]

Alan, Julie, and everyone else on the LOCCNA listserv, 

If you have a sudden unexplained drop in water pressure call EBMUD at their toll-free number - (866) 403-2683. 

EBMUD personnel will investigate the source of the water pressure drop.  An investigator should be dispatched within the hour after your call is received.

Typically, pressure drops occur due to system maintenance (such as a shutdown), or because of a mainbreak somewhere close by.

If EBMUD personnel were to contact you in person, they will have identification to establish that they are employed by EBMUD. Do not hesitate to ask for identification.

A similar protocol should be observed by PG&E for outages of electricity or gas.

David Dempster

On Mon, Aug 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM Julie Torres <julietorre...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey! I’ve noticed a significant drop in water pressure at my place starting about today. It’s affecting the whole house, not just one faucet. Is anyone else in the area experiencing this, or should I be calling a plumber? Thanks in advance!

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