Frequently Asked Questions

Install water saving showerheads, high-efficiency toilets and clothes washers, and use water-wise gardening (such as Xeriscape). Please visit the San Diego County Water Authority's rebate program website at http://www.watersmartsd.org/ for rebate incentives. There are also a variety of water conservation tips and resources on this site's Water Conservation page.

Installation of a water softener is a personal choice, but we recommend against the recycling type, which discharges high amounts of salt into the sewer system. Consider having a water treatment company provide treatment canisters, which do not recycle into the sewer. This will allow beneficial use of reclaimed water for irrigation at a lower cost.

A completed Construction Meter Application (PDF) needs to be submitted to the Finance Department along with a deposit. The Finance Department can be contacted by phone at 858-755-9354 (M-Th 7:30 am-5:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am-4:30 pm) or by email at finance@delmar.ca.us. Once the application and deposit are turned in you may obtain the meter at the Public Works Department, which is located at 2240 Jimmy Durante Boulevard.

A sub-meter is a secondary meter placed on your private line beyond your primary meter. It is intended to precisely calculate in-home water use, and must be installed by your private plumber. An irrigation meter is a separate meter installed on the City of Del Mar water main and is recommended for irrigation systems and eliminating charges for sanitary sewer use. The City will install an irrigation meter, but there is a fee. For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at (858) 755-3294.

Please do not attempt to shut off your water meter on your own. Meters are very easy to damage and extremely expensive to repair. The City of Del Mar Public Works Department will be glad to turn your meter off without charge with a four-hour notice (normal work hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and the office is closed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). The City encourages residents to install a separate valve on your side of the meter to turn water off without having to risk damage to a City meter. If interested, please contact a local plumber for an installation estimate.

Most meters are located between your home and the edge of the street in a small utility vault. However, the meters are located on your private line connection to the public water main and sometimes these services are installed from side or rear of properties due to location of the water main. If you are having problems locating your meter, please contact Public Works at 858-755-3294 and they will be glad to assist you.

If you feel your water meter has not been read recently, call the Finance Department at (858) 755-9354 (M-Th 7:30 am-5:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am-4:30 pm) to review your records; a member of the Public Works staff will be glad to visit with you at your home and show you the meter reading. Please have your most recent water bill in hand.

Call the Public Works Department at (858) 755-3294 and we will inspect the system for problems. In many cases, the problem is within the residence and is the responsibility of the owner. If this is the case, a plumber may be necessary. Certain times of the year, water is delivered with a slight turbidity and odor due to lake conditions where the water is stored prior to treatment. However, it is safe to drink and is tested on a regular basis in compliance with the Department of Health Services guidelines. The City of Del Mar annually sends a copy of the Water Quality Report to all residents. You may request a copy of the Annual Water Quality Report or the City of Del Mar's Annual Water Quality Newsletter from Public Works at (858) 755-3294.

Free residential water use audit: A water conservation specialist provided by the Metropolitan Water District will come to a residence or coordinate with you virtually to perform a home water use evaluation free of charge. The evaluation will cover both indoor and outdoor water usage. The virtual or in-person visit will also include recommendations on water usage improvements for the property. Go to www.waterefficiencysurvey.com to apply. 

Residential rebate incentives: Residential rebate incentives have been effective in achieving water conservation savings. A limited number of rebates will be available through the Metropolitan Water District’s SoCal Water$mart program for Southern California residential water customers. Funding is limited. Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Please visit the San Diego County Water Authority's rebate program website at http://www.watersmartsd.org/ for rebate incentives.

The cost to install a new water and sewer connection is based on the meter size. The current City of Del Mar capacity and connection fees, a meter installation deposit, and the San Diego County Water Authority capacity charge are required at the time of application submittal. If you are planning on installing new water and/or sewer service, please download the Water and Sewer Service Connection Application (PDF) or contact the Finance Department at (858) 755-9354 (M-Th 7:30 am-5:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am-4:30 pm).