Why Was My Electrical Service Turned Off?
Your electrical service was temporarily disconnected because BWP crews identified damaged equipment or another unsafe condition that posed a potential safety risk. We understand this is inconvenient, and we apologize for the disruption. In some cases, if the condition allowed, crews may have temporarily made the equipment safe or left partial power on until permanent repairs can be completed.
However, if the required repairs are not completed within the timeframe provided in your notice, your electrical service will be disconnected. Please refer to the notice left at your property for information about your specific situation, as additional site-specific conditions or requirements may apply.
Why Your Electrical Service Was Turned Off
Native Garden Kit
What Changed and Why
Burbank City Council recently updated the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (SWUO), and the main change is that mandatory specific watering days are gone, replaced by permanent, year-round conservation standards that are more flexible and more effective.
This is a modernization of how Burbank manages water, not a retreat from conservation.
Here's the background:
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The original mandatory watering-day system was designed in 2008 as a straightforward tool for drought emergency response.
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Since then, evidence suggests that education, no-cost tools, and behavior-change programs produce more lasting conservation results than calendar-based enforcement and wrong watering-day fines.
Conservation isn't seasonal at BWP. It's permanent.
What the Rules Still Require - Year-Round
Removing mandatory watering days does not mean anything goes.
The updated ordinance maintains clear, enforceable conservation requirements 365 days a year.
Watering during peak heat hours loses enormous amounts of water to evaporation before it ever reaches your plants. This rule applies every single day, all year long.
Best practice is to program short cycles (usually 5 to 7 minutes) to allow the topsoil to absorb the moisture. Waiting 30 to 60 minutes between cycles lets the water infiltrate deep into the root zone before applying the next cycle.
Irrigation must be targeted and efficient, water belongs in your landscape, not the street drain.
Using water to wash hardscape surfaces is prohibited. Sweep instead.
If it rained, your landscape doesn't need water. Your smart controller can handle this automatically.
After being notified of a leak, property owners must repair it in a timely manner.
Industrial and commercial users must use recirculating systems where required.
Conservation isn't seasonal at BWP. It's permanent.
What the Rules Still Require - Year-Round
Removing mandatory watering days does not mean anything goes. The updated ordinance maintains clear, enforceable conservation requirements 365 days a year.
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No Outdoor Irrigation Between 9 AM and 6 PM - Watering during peak heat hours loses enormous amounts of water to evaporation before it ever reaches your plants. This rule applies every single day, all year long.
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Maximum 15 minutes per irrigation station per day. Best practice is to program short cycles (usually 5 to 7 minutes) to allow the topsoil to absorb the moisture. Waiting 30 to 60 minutes between cycles lets the water infiltrate deep into the root zone before applying the next cycle.
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No runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, or public streets. Irrigation must be targeted and efficient, water belongs in your landscape, not the street drain.
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No hosing down driveways or sidewalks. Using water to wash hardscape surfaces is prohibited. Sweep instead.
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No irrigation within 48 hours of measurable rainfall. If it rained, your landscape doesn't need water. Your smart controller can handle this automatically.
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Prompt repair of leaking irrigation systems or fixtures. After being notified of a leak, property owners must repair it in a timely manner.
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No single-pass cooling of equipment using potable water. Industrial and commercial users must use recirculating systems where required.
What the Rules Still Require - Year-Round
Removing mandatory watering days does not mean anything goes. The updated ordinance maintains clear, enforceable conservation requirements 365 days a year.
-
No Outdoor Irrigation Between 9 AM and 6 PM - Watering during peak heat hours loses enormous amounts of water to evaporation before it ever reaches your plants. This rule applies every single day, all year long.
-
Maximum 15 minutes per irrigation station per day. Best practice is to program short cycles (usually 5 to 7 minutes) to allow the topsoil to absorb the moisture. Waiting 30 to 60 minutes between cycles lets the water infiltrate deep into the root zone before applying the next cycle.
-
No runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, or public streets. Irrigation must be targeted and efficient, water belongs in your landscape, not the street drain.
-
No hosing down driveways or sidewalks. Using water to wash hardscape surfaces is prohibited. Sweep instead.
-
No irrigation within 48 hours of measurable rainfall. If it rained, your landscape doesn't need water. Your smart controller can handle this automatically.
-
Prompt repair of leaking irrigation systems or fixtures. After being notified of a leak, property owners must repair it in a timely manner.
-
No single-pass cooling of equipment using potable water. Industrial and commercial users must use recirculating systems where required.
Education Over Fines
Education Over Fines
The rules are still real.
The approach is better.
BWP's updated approach is grounded in a clear finding: residents who understand how they use water, and who have the right tools, conserve more, and more sustainably, than those who are fined for watering on the wrong day.
To be clear - enforcement hasn't gone away. BWP will continue to investigate water waste, contact property owners, and issue corrective notices and fines for violations that result in significant, measurable water waste. The focus is simply where it matters most.
Beautiful and Water-Wise
Beautiful and Water-Wise
You don't have to choose.
Let's address the most common concern directly: saving water does not mean sacrificing a beautiful yard.
BWP's free landscape design templates include options that offer green ground cover in key areas while dramatically reducing overall water use.
The real culprit in most yards isn't the landscape itself; it's the inefficient irrigation, wrong timing, and overwatering.
Watering That Works for Your Landscape
Watering That Works for Your Landscape
No two landscapes are exactly alike.
Lawns, native plants, shrubs, and trees all have different water needs. Because every landscape is unique, a single watering schedule cannot provide the right amount of water for every property. Rather than requiring every customer to follow the same watering schedule, we want our residents to learn what is best for their landscape, which will result in:
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Healthier landscapes
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Uses only the water each landscape actually needs
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Makes best use of smart irrigation technologies
BWP's updated approach is grounded in a clear finding: residents who understand how they use water, and who have the right tools, conserve more, and more sustainably, than those who are fined for watering on the wrong day.
To be clear - enforcement hasn't gone away. BWP will continue to investigate water waste, contact property owners, and issue corrective notices and fines for violations that result in significant, measurable water waste. The focus is simply where it matters most.
Beautiful and Water-Wise, You Don't Have to Choose
Let's address the most common concern directly: saving water does not mean sacrificing a beautiful yard.
BWP's free landscape design templates include options that offer green ground cover in key areas while dramatically reducing overall water use. The real culprit in most yards isn't the landscape itself; it's inefficient irrigation, wrong timing, and overwatering.
Watering That Works for Your Landscape
No two landscapes are exactly alike.
Lawns, native plants, shrubs, and trees all have different water needs. Because every landscape is unique, a single watering schedule cannot provide the right amount of water for every property. Rather than requiring every customer to follow the same watering schedule, we want our residents to learn what is best for their landscape, which will result in:
-
Healthier landscapes
-
Uses only the water each landscape actually needs
-
Makes best use of smart irrigation technologies
Watering Calculator (Coming Soon)
Find the Right Watering Schedule for Your Landscape
Every landscape is unique. Use BWP's Watering Calculator to determine the recommended watering frequency and irrigation runtime based on your landscape's specific characteristics.
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The calculator considers factors such as:
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Plant type
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Soil type
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Local weather
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Irrigation system (sprinklers, drip, or bubblers)
AB 1572 Nonfunctional Turf Ban
A new law bans watering grass that serve no recreational or community purpose on public and commercial properties starting January 2027. For information visit https://nonfunctionalturfca.org/
Please Follow These Steps to Help Restore Your Service:
When our field crews identify an issue, they notify our Electric Service Planning team, who will visit the property, inspect the condition, and provide a meter spot that outlines the work required for a main electrical panel replacement.
If you have questions about the issue or need assistance, our Electric Service Planning team is here to help. Residential customers can contact ERES@burbankca.gov or (818) 238-3647, and Commercial customers can contact ECOM@burbankca.gov or (818) 238-3565.
You can also find additional information on our Electric Service Planning page, including our Frequently Asked Questions and electrical service specifications webpages to help guide you through the process.
After you receive your meter spot from Electric Service Planning, you will need to obtain an electrical permit from the City of Burbank Building and Safety Division before work can begin.
For assistance, contact Building and Safety at (818) 238-5220 or building@burbankca.gov, or visit the Community Services Building, First Floor, 150 N. Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502. You can also visit the Building and Safety website for permit information and application requirements.
Once you have received your permit and paid all required fees, your licensed electrician may begin the necessary work.
We understand that an unsafe electrical condition with your electric service was likely unexpected. If you are concerned about the costs to replace your panel, BWP may be able to offer a payment arrangement for eligible BWP-related fees. Please contact your Electric Service Planner to discuss available options.
If you're unable to complete your electrical panel replacement by the required deadline, contact your Electric Service Planner as soon as possible to discuss your options.
While repairing a damaged component may be possible in some limited situations, older electrical panels are often difficult to repair in a way that meets current electrical codes. Panelboards may not be refurbished and any panel damage including arcing, fire, corrosion, physical damage, missing labels and listings, compliance with current metering requirements, or the availability of new manufacturer approved and listed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts will prevent a repair from being approved.
For this reason, BWP recommends full replacement as the quickest and safest way to getting power turned back on. Building and Safety is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) who makes the final determination and will need to provide the release that it is safe to energize. BWP requires that metering equipment comply with the Rules and Regulations, including access and Electric Utility Service Equipment Requirements (EUSERC).
If panel availability or other circumstances delay your project, you may be eligible for temporary power through a customer-provided temporary power pole. This option requires a separate permit and meter spot but can provide electrical service for up to one year while permanent corrective work is completed.
After the work is completed, the City of Burbank Building and Safety Division will inspect the installation. When Building and Safety issues a release confirming it is safe to re-energize the service, BWP will reconnect your electrical service.
This program is only available to Burbank water customers.
Forms will be available here or by calling BWP at (818) 238-3500.
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