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 is a levee, and how does it work?
A levee is an embankment or a raised ridge designed for flood protection. In Foster City, the levee is the raised trail surrounding the outer perimeter of the City, which separates the City from the Bay. The Foster City levee system also provides recreational uses for the community. Residents enjoy walking, running, biking, and skating on the levee pathway. For more information about Foster City's levee, please visit our Levee System page.
How do I apply for a rebate for installing solar PV on my residence?
To learn how to apply for the rebate, please visit the Solar Rebate Program page.
How do I report a street light outage?
If there is a street light outage, please contact Public Works Engineering at (650) 286-3270 on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. If calling after hours, you will receive a pre-recorded message with general instructions and emergency information. You should provide your name, address, telephone number, location of requested repair, pole number, and as much detailed information of the problem as possible. For more information regarding the City's street lights, please visit the Street Lights and Traffic Signals page.
How do I report non-emergency traffic signal problems?
If there is a problem with the traffic signals, please contact Public Works Engineering at (650) 286-3270 on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. If calling after hours, you will receive a pre-recorded message with general instructions and emergency information. You should provide your name, address, telephone number, location of requested repair, and as much detailed information of the problem as possible. For more information about the City's traffic signals, please visit the Street Lights and Traffic Signals page.
How do I report potholes in the roadway, uneven sidewalks, or damaged/marked-up road signs?
To report potholes in the roadway, uneven sidewalks, or damaged road signs or markings, please contact the Public Works Maintenance Streets Division at (650) 286-8140 on weekdays during business hours. If received after hours, you will receive a pre-recorded message with general instructions and emergency information. You should provide your name, address, telephone number, location of requested repair, and as much detailed information of problem as possible. For more information, please visit the Street Maintenance page.
When do I need an encroachment/debris box permit?
Any construction activity within public rights-of-way requires an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department. For more information about encroachment permits or to obtain an application, please visit the Encroachment Permit page.
Where can I learn more about the City's lagoon system?
For more information about the City's lagoon system, please visit the Lagoon System page.
How do I report a missed pick-up or any other garbage issues?
If you encounter a missed pick-up or any other garbage issues, please contact Recology San Mateo at (650) 595-3900. For more information about residential collection services, please visit the CartSMART page.
How to dispose of household hazardous waste?
To learn how to dispose of household hazardous waste, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Options page.
How to recycle at large events?
To learn more about recycling at large events, please visit the AB 2176 - Recycling at Large Events page.
What is the anti-scavenging ordinance?
On January 18, 2011, the City Council adopted Ordinance 561, establishing provisions for the regulation and citation of individuals who remove recyclable materials from curbside bins without the permission of the residents, businesses, or authorized refuse collector. The ordinance makes the unauthorized removal of recyclable materials from curbside bins, an infraction punishable by a fine of $100 for first time offenders, $200 for two-time offenders in the same year, and $500 if caught a third time within 12 months of the second infraction. For more information on this ordinance, please visit the Anti-Scavenging Ordinance page.
When do I need to submit a Waste Management Plan?
As a condition of issuing the building permit application, a Waste Management Plan (BEFORE PERMIT) must be submitted and approved. The plan includes estimates of waste generated and materials to be diverted before the construction permit will be issued. For complete information on the Waste Management Plan, please visit the Construction and Demolition page.
When does the street sweeper sweep my street?
The street sweeper sweeps Neighborhoods 1-3 on every other Tuesday and sweeps Neighborhoods 4-9 on every other Thursday. For more information, such as the street sweeping days and the street sweeping schedule by street names, please visit the Street Sweeping page.
Where can I pick up sandbags?
During heavy storm seasons, Foster City residents and merchants can pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags at the City Hall parking lot (north corner), located at 610 Foster City Boulevard. It will be made available to the residents 24/7. There will be sand, bags, and a shovel for residents and merchants to bag it themselves. For more information, please visit the Sandbags page.
Who is responsible for altering my sidewalk, such as fixing it or installing a drain?
Under existing state law and City ordinance, Foster City property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks immediately adjacent to their properties. This includes, but is not limited to, sidewalks along major roadways, sidewalks located behind walls or fences, segments on the back of properties, and multiple segments for priorities with multiple sidewalk adjacencies. For complete details about sidewalk maintenance and responsibilities, please visit the Sidewalks page.
How do I report a sewer problem?
In the event of a sewer overflow or backup during working hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm; Friday, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm), please notify the Wastewater Division IMMEDIATELY by calling (650) 286-8140. After working hours, please contact Police Dispatch at (650) 286-3345. Please do not email or report electronically. For more information, please visit the Wastewater 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.
