FAQs
Where does Foster City get its drinking water?
Foster City gets its water from Hetch Hetchy. The Hetch Hetchy watershed, an area located in Yosemite National Park, provides approximately 85% of San Francisco's total water needs. Spring snowmelt runs down the Tuolumne River and fills Hetch Hetchy, the largest reservoir in the Hetch Hetchy water system. This surface water in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is treated, but not filtered, because it is of such high quality. For more information about the City's water, please visit the Water page.
What are the water conservation rebates available?
For a complete list of the water conservation rebates available, please visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page.
What can I do if I have a water leak, broken hydrant, or any type of water issue?
If you have any questions or need additional information regarding water service or water quality, such as reporting a water leak, broken hydrant, or any type of water issue, please contact the Public Works Maintenance Division at (650) 286-8140. For more information, please visit the Water Quality page.
What does it mean that we are in a Water Shortage Emergency?
On August 4, 2014, the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) Board declared a water shortage emergency. In times of extended drought, declaration of a water shortage emergency allows the District to put in place measures to conserve water in the community. At this time EMID has only implemented measures A, B, C, E, F and L in District Code Section 8.60.050. For more information, please visit the Water Shortage Emergency Declaration page.
What is chloramines, and why was chlorine converted to chloramines as a water disinfectant?
Chloramines is a combination of chlorine and ammonia that offers a number of health benefits. It lasts longer in the water to more effectively remove pathogens, produces lower levels of disinfection byproducts, and may improve taste and odor. For more information on chloramines, please visit the Water Disinfectant Agent: Chloramines page.
What is the City's Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Program?
The Estero Municipal Improvement District is pleased to provide all residential and irrigation customers a rebate towards the purchase of a Smart Irrigation Controller. The rebate amount for residential customers covers 100% of the cost of the controller up to $250 maximum rebate. For irrigation customers, the rebate amount covers 100% of the cost of the controllers up to $50 per station with a maximum rebate of $7,500 for any one customer. To confirm eligibility for the rebate or for complete details on the program, please visit the Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate page.
What is the City's Synthetic Turf Rebate Program?
The Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) is offering rebates to residential and irrigation customers that replace their existing grass lawns (including removal of sprinkler systems) with synthetic turf. The rebate amount for residential customers covers $4.00 per square foot up to a maximum rebate of $5,000 per customer. For irrigation customers, the rebate amount covers $4.00 per square foot up to a maximum rebate of $10,000 per customer. For complete details on the rebate, please visit the Synthetic Turf Rebate Program page.
What is the City's Toilet Rebate Program?
The Foster City Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) offers EMID water customers, rebates, information, and education available to help you reduce your water use. For more information on the toilet rebate programs available, please visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page.
Where and how can I apply for a Landscape Water Use Audit?
If you are interested in scheduling a Landscape Water Use Audit for your home or your irrigation area, send an e-mail to LandscapeAudit@fostercity.org or call the Public Works Maintenance Water Division at (650) 286-8140, and we will arrange an appointment between you and our irrigation expert. For more information, please visit the Landscape Water Use Audit page.
Where do I enroll for landscaping classes?
The Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) offers free Landscape Education Classes in the spring and fall of each year. To register for a class or for more information on the landscape classes, please visit BAWSCA's Landscape Classes page.
