Water Conservation

Overview

The City of Millbrae has declared a Water Shortage Emergency and is implementing Stage 2 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan adopted June 14, 2022. 

City Council approved the City shall enact the City's 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, Stage 2, in alignment with State Water Resources Control Board Resolution 2022-0018, and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Resolution 22-0098.

Some of the new water restrictions from Stage 1 and 2 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan are as follow:

  • Request voluntary water conservation by all customers
  • Owners and managers of commercial, industrial, and institutional properties must not use potable water for irrigating non-functional turf. Non-functional turf is a ground cover surface of mowed grass that is ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreation purposes. The regulation does not restrict the watering of trees. View for more information on the prohibition of irrigation on non-functional turf with potable water.
  • Restrict landscape irrigation to designated watering days and times
  • Prohibit non-essential water use:
    • serving drinking water by restaurant or food service establishments except upon request
    • use of potable water for washing driveways, patios, parking lots, or other paved surfaces
    • require hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments to offer the option of not laundering towels and linen daily
    • draining and refilling of swimming pools
  • Encourage use of drip and other low-volume irrigation systems
  • Encourage appropriate use of gray water use
  • Require the use of water-efficient indoor devices
  • Require the use of re-circulated water to operate decorative fountains, ponds, and lakes
  • Require the use of a bucket and a hand-held hose with a positive shut-off nozzle, mobile high-pressure/low-volume wash system, or at a commercial site to wash vehicles
  • Require large landscapes to adhere to water budgets
  • Prohibit exterior washing of dwellings, buildings, or structures (with exceptions for window washing or in preparation for painting)

For detailed information, view the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (PDF) and go to Appendix K.

Free Water Saving Devices

Water Saving Devices

  • Fix all leaky toilets, faucets, and pipes. Pick up a free copy of the "Practical Plumbing" Handbook. Also request free aerators for your bathroom and kitchen faucets.
  • Check for silent toilet leaks by requesting free leak-detection dye tablets. Toilet leaks not seen or heard can waste up to 300 gallons of water per day.
  • Pick up a free water-conserving multi-massage function showerhead.
  • Request a free shower timer to encourage family members who take long showers to take shorter ones.
  • On average 50% to 70% of home water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens. Refer to the Water Conservation Newsletter (PDF) for landscape watering information.
  • Visit Water Wise Gardening in the Bay Area to learn how to create or re-design a more water-wise garden. There are extensive sections on design, irrigation, and garden care, a plant library that will include the culture, anatomy, and description of over 1,000 plants, along with the photo section of water-wise and beautiful gardens in Millbrae and the Bay Area.
  • Water Savings Calculator. Learn how much water you use and how you can use less.

Additional Information

The Water Resources and Conservation Program is here to aid your efforts to conserve. Programs and opportunities are available for residents, businesses, and City facilities to conserve water.

The links below will provide you with information on programs and resources to help you conserve water. Please call the Water Resources and Conservation Program at 650-259-2348 for more information or if you have any questions.