VALLEY WATER GREAT SIGN HUNT 2020

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 A. CONTEST AND PRIZES

1. What’s so important about inventorying signs?

Valley Water owns and operates ten reservoirs, three water treatment plants, a purification center, a Water Quality Laboratory, and manages about 275 miles of creeks in Santa Clara County. Many Valley Water signs border these water infrastructure, creeks, creek trails, and waterway entrances in Santa Clara County. The signs provide essential information related to location, direction, educational, and/or regulatory, health and safety messages. Updating and replacing the signs regularly will ensure accurate and up-to-date information is conveyed to the public and those who interact with Valley Water facilities and property. Inventorying and tracking these signs is a key component for Valley Water to maintain the signs.

2. Can I win multiple prizes?

Each registered participant is eligible to win one prize. If you’ve won and accepted a monthly prize, you are no longer eligible for any other prizes, including other monthly prizes and the grand prize. You can, however, defer your monthly prize to the next runner-up if you would like to continue to compete for the grand prize.

B. CREEKS AND TRAILS

1. What is trail etiquette? I.e. how to share the trail with all users!

Trail etiquette is the formal and social manners and rules that are followed by other trail users. 

2. How do I navigate the trails? 

Below are some helpful references to Santa Clara County’s trails.

  • Santa Clara County Parks – Biking:

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Activities/Biking-Hiking/Pages/Biking.aspx

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/outdoor-activities/trail-network/

3. What hours are the trails open? 

Typically, trails are open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. However, to be sure, plan ahead and research the park or trail information beforehand. Please see question “What are some trail safety tips?” on how to plan ahead.

4. Which trails are open?

Many trails have reopened. See the Watersheds map below for an idea of which trails are likely to have Valley Water signs. These trails are likely on Valley Water property and are primarily managed by Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation.

  • Refer to Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation’s closure webpage for park closures: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Pages/Closures.aspx

  • See “What is a watershed?” question for a map of Valley Water’s watershed areas, for an idea of where our signs may be found.

5. What is a watershed? 

Wherever you are, you are in a watershed. A watershed is the area of land that drains to a common waterway. In Santa Clara County, our creeks and rivers catch rain and runoff from storm drains and carry the water north to San Francisco Bay or south to Monterey Bay. Along the way, some of the water is used to fill reservoirs for drinking water, replenish the underground aquifer and create better habitat for fish and wildlife.

C. GENERAL SAFETY

1. Who do I call if there is an emergency on the trails? 

If you are experiencing an emergency on the trail, call 911.

2. Who do I call for a non-emergency concern? 

For non-emergency concerns, call 311 or locate and call the park number. See trail safety tips below on how to plan ahead before you head to a trail.

3. What are some trail safety tips?

Plan ahead! It is important to know the name and location of the park/trail you are travelling. Find out the name and save the park’s phone number on your phone. Check their website, research the park hours and familiarize yourself with the trail map. If you are already at the park, look for signs around the trail to find out this information. 

4. What are some creek safety tips?

  • Use caution around creek banks – they can be muddy and slippery;

  • Stay clear of homeless encampments;

  • Be alert for stinging insects, snakes and poisonous plants;

  • Do not go in the water;

  • Do not pick up any objects that are heavy or may be toxic/hazardous. See “Where do I report trash in the creek?” question on how to report hazardous objects.

  • More Creek safety tips can be found here: https://www.valleywater.org/learning-center/adopt-creek

5. Where should I report trash on the trail? 

To report trash on the trail, find out which City or County park you are in to find further information.

  • Trails on Valley Water property are primarily managed by Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation. If you’d like to report a problem to a County park, please email parkinfo@prk.scc​gov.org​ or call their hotline: (408) 355-2200

6. Where do I report trash in the creek? 

If there is trash in the creek, you can report it to Valley Water using the Access Valley Water customer service portal or call 1-888-510-5151 (24 hours).

7. Who should I contact about trail maintenance? (downed trees, flooding, potholes, etc.)

  • For trail maintenance, find out which City or County park you are in to find further information.

  • For creek maintenance, you can make a request to Valley Water using the Access Valley Water customer service portal or call their Watershed hotline at (408) 265-2600 ext. 2378

8. Who do I contact about homeless encampments or vagrancy? 

Remember to stay clear of homeless encampments. You can report homeless encampments to Valley Water using the Access Valley Water customer service portal or call their Watershed hotline at (408) 265-2600 ext. 2378.