Director Valerie Fong welcomes you on behalf of all City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) employees. CPAU is the only city-owned utility in California that operates its own utilities including electric, fiber optic, natural gas, water and wastewater services. We have been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto since 1896.
Our mission statement: to provide safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and cost effective services.
Emergency Numbers
9-1-1 for emergencies
(650) 496-6914 to report electrical outages
(650) 329-2579 to report water, gas or wastewater problems
Contact Information
Customer Services (City Hall):
250 Hamilton, 1st Floor
(650) 329-2161
Administration, Communication, Utility Marketing
(Efficiency/Renewable) and Resources (City Hall)
(650) 566-4500 Electric
(650) 566-4501 Water, Gas, Wastewater
Operations and Maintenance
(Municipal Services Center)
3201 East Bayshore Road
(650) 496-6934 Electric
(650) 496-6982 Water, Gas, Wastewater
Note: All Utilities staff and crews carry City ID cards. You can always request to see the cards before allowing access to your property. Also, if you are concerned about whether any vendor or contractor who claims to represent the City is legitimate, please call us at (650) 329-2241 to find out.
Trees Need Water (Especially) During Times of Drought Palo Alto has done a great job in its water conservation efforts, and through its diligence, the community has cut water usage more than 33 percent compared to 2013 levels. While we need to conserve water, doing so may be impacting the City's trees, which are showing signs of stress.
City of Palo Alto Utilities Awarded Public Power Utility of the Year City of Palo Alto Utilities is awarded Public Power Utility of the Year. Palo Alto Utilities has a long history of providing innovative and progressive programs on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability. Forward-thinking community support for renewable energy has encouraged development and growth of our comprehensive solar electric programs.
Reduce High Winter Gas Bills Now that cold weather is here, use as many of these tips as possible to stay warm and save on natural gas! [more]
About CPAU The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is the only municipal utility in California that operates city-owned utility services that include electric, fiber optic, natural gas, water and wastewater services. [more]
LED Streetlights Shine PHASE 3 expected to finish this summer---see how the new LED street lights are transforming our town! [more]
Avoid Wasting Energy Through Vampire Loads and Game Consoles Find out how to avoid wasting energy through "phantom loads" and how much energy your video game console uses when it is OFF! Did you know that your set-top cable box uses as much energy as your refrigerator? [more]
Geoexchange Heat Pump (GSHP) Learn how the Children's Library in Palo Alto is utilizing a geoexchange heat pump to heat and cool the building more efficiently. [more]
