The water problems Sandy homes actually face
On August 13, 2026, a storm that city leaders called a 50 to 100 year rainstorm dropped roughly 1.75 to 3 inches in about an hour, according to KSL. The mayor said flooding reached pretty much every neighborhood and the storm drains could not absorb it. Drying and mold prevention start the hour water arrives, not when you notice it.
Basements on Hawkwood Drive flooded, one reportedly with 3 to 4 feet of water, and 1300 East between Alta View Hospital and Dimple Dell Park flooded enough to strand vehicles. The city offered landfill vouchers for flood debris.
The city's public works department says it handles about 60 water main breaks a year, and a June 30, 2025 break near East Little Cottonwood Lane and South Quail Ridge Road left minor water damage in a home.
Storm runoff and basements
Heavy rain that overwhelms storm drains pushes water through floors, walls and basement entrances.
Window wells
Before the October 2026 storm Sandy advised sandbags at window wells. A resident reported a basement flooding through a window well in August 2026.
Water main and line breaks
Aging lines fail with little warning and water can reach a lower level unseen.
Emergency dispatch, all hours
Emergency dispatch is available around the clock at (385) 988-9410. Same-day response when available.
When water is spreading in Sandy
Work through these in order and stop at any step that feels unsafe.
- Stop the source if you can. Shut off the main water valve for a broken line, or stop using sinks and drains if sewage is backing up.
- Think about electricity before you step into water. Turn off power to the wet areas only if the panel is dry and safe to reach. If it is not, leave it alone.
- If you smell gas or see sparks, or water is touching outlets or appliances, call the utility or 911 before you call us.
- Lift valuables, papers and electronics off the floor.
- Keep people and pets out of the water. Floodwater that came in from outside, or anything from a sewer, can carry contamination.
Before we arrive: Water source
Close the main valve or any shutoff you can safely reach.
Before we arrive: Power
Keep power off to wet areas only when the panel is dry and reachable. Never plug in or touch anything standing in water.
If water is still spreading: Contain it
Move valuables and papers up, pull up throw rugs and lift furniture legs onto foil or blocks.
If water is still spreading: Take photos
Photograph the water line, damaged items and the source before cleanup. Your insurer will want them.
Services in the order Sandy needs them
After a storm, most Sandy calls start with water in the lowest level. We begin with emergency water removal using extraction units to pull standing water before it soaks further into framing and subfloor.
When the water came from outside, the job is a flood damage restoration job, and that matters for safety. Outdoor runoff is not clean water, so carpet pad and drywall often have to come out.
Water mitigation means moisture meters to map what is wet, thermal imaging cameras to find hidden moisture, air movers, and LGR dehumidifiers running until readings come back to a normal range.
If a wall or floor stayed damp, ask about mold remediation. EPA guidance says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, so speed after a flood is not optional.
Sandy ZIP codes and what sits in them
Sandy uses four ZIP codes. Most of the city sits in 84070, the largest of them. All four get the same dispatch.
84092 and 84093 also cover parts of Cottonwood Heights, so a Cottonwood Heights address may carry one of those codes and not a Sandy city line. The ZIP 84092 is also the mailing ZIP for Dimple Dell Regional Park, a 630 acre park that runs through Sandy neighborhoods.
The 84094 ZIP has the alias White City. Not sure which code applies? Give us the street address when you call.
Who to call about water, sewer and permits
Sandy City Public Utilities handles culinary water and storm water. Call them first if a main line is the source.
Most sewer in Sandy is run by Sandy Suburban Improvement District, with an office at 8855 South 700 West. In the 84093 area, the Cottonwood Improvement District, at 8620 S Highland Drive, also provides wastewater collection.
For permits tied to rebuilding, ask the Sandy city building office before you start. We do not state permit thresholds on this page because they vary by the work involved.
What changes the cost of a Sandy water job
We explain scope and price before work starts. The same flooded basement can be a small job or a large one depending on a few things.
Water category
Clean line water, gray water and outdoor floodwater or sewage fall in different S500 categories.
Area and depth
A single wet room costs less to dry than a full finished basement.
Materials affected
Carpet pad, drywall and insulation often come out.
On insurance, sudden and accidental water damage is often covered by homeowners policies, while gradual leaks and neglect often are not. Flood is usually excluded and needs separate flood coverage, and sewer backup may need its own endorsement. Check your policy and ask your insurer what applies before you file.
Water in your Sandy home right now?
Call (385) 988-9410 any hour.
Other places we work near Sandy
If you also have property in South Jordan or Herriman, the same dispatch line applies. The service area page lists every city.
Sandy storm record, as reported
On October 9, 2026, Sandy distributed sandbags at 9800 S and Highland Drive ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Rachel, with 1 to 3 inches of rain forecast.
A Sandy couple reported about 3 feet of basement water from the August runoff and used sandbags and a sump-style pump for the next storm.
Sources: KSL: Sandy cleans up after 100-year rain storm, KSL: Sandy residents prepare with sandbags, Fox13: Sandy residents prepare for potential flooding, KUTV: Water main break in Sandy
Common questions
Is emergency water removal available in Sandy?
Yes. Emergency dispatch is available around the clock, including nights and weekends. Call (385) 988-9410, tell us the address and what is happening, and we offer same-day response when available.
Do you cover every ZIP code in Sandy?
Yes. We serve 84070, 84092, 84093 and 84094. Note that 84092 and 84093 also include parts of Cottonwood Heights, and we cover those addresses too.
Should I pump out my flooded basement myself?
For a few inches of clean water, a household pump can help, but only if the power is off and the area is safe. After outdoor flooding the water may be contaminated. Call us if you are unsure.
Will my homeowners policy cover a basement flood?
It depends on the cause. Sudden and accidental damage is often covered, while flood from outside is usually excluded and needs separate flood coverage. Check your policy and ask your insurer.