Water Conservation
May 2, 2023 Update: The City of Burlingame has rescinded the water shortage emergency declaration. However, the State's Water Conservation Emergency Regulations are still in effect. Visit our Water Use Restrictions to learn about which regulations are still in effect and Conservation Tips to learn how you can save water. | ||
Programs and Free Resources
Burlingame residents and property owners are eligible for a range of programs and rebates that support water conservation.Lawn Be Gone! Program
The “Lawn Be Gone!” rebate program is now available for Burlingame residents. By transforming your water-intensive lawn into a water-efficient landscape, you can receive a rebate of $2 per square foot, up to $500 per household. Rebates are available on a first come, first served basis. To get started, create an online account and apply online here.
Add a Rain Garden to your project and earn an additional $300 rebate! See rain garden examples here. Funded by the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP).

The City of Burlingame is partnering with Rachio to offer single-family residential customers a discount on the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. This device helps you monitor and manage watering your lawn from anywhere with using a smartphone app. You can create tailored schedules, make automatic weather adjustments, and maintain a water-efficient yard. Rachio uses Weather Intelligence™ Plus to automatically adjust schedules to account for rain or wind, preventing water waste! By participating in this program, the device will cost $100 plus sales tax (the retail price starts at $229.99). Hurry, supplies are limited. To redeem the offer, visit bawsca.rachio.com and apply using the middle six digits of your water account number (ex: XX-123456-XXXXXXX).

Don't let good water go to waste! Capture rainwater to water your plants and save up to $200 off a qualifying barrel (limit 2 per single-family account or 4 per multifamily/commercial). For a complete list of rules and online application, please visit BAWSCA for details.

Learn how to garden beautifully while reducing your water use. For a list of available classes in San Mateo County, visit:
To see a video recording and/or presentation slides from past landscape classes, please visit our Landscape Classes webpage here.
Free Water Conservation Devices
Visit the Burlingame Public Library website to place a hold on the Check-It-Out Home Energy & Water Saving Toolkit. This toolkit provides free resources to perform a basic assessment of the efficiency of your home energy and water use. To check out what comes in the toolkit, visit San Mateo County Energy Watch.
Checklists, Factsheets, and Resources
- Residential Water Conservation Checklist
- Top 10 Tips for Conserving Water
- Water Resources Crossword Puzzle (access the answers here)
- Sheet Mulching Brochure
- Water Use it Wisely - 100+ Ways to Conserve
- Hire a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
Report Water Waste and Help Conserve Water in Our Community
Call our Water Conservation Hotline at 650-558-7612,
Email us at WaterConservation@burlingame.org, or
Report it online at AccessBurlingame.
Report a Water Emergency
For emergencies, such as a broken water main or hydrant, please contact the Public Works Corporation Yard at 650-558-7670 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, call the Burlingame Police Department at 650-692-0604.