San Francisco
Water Power Sewer
Headquarters
Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2012
Fiscal Responsibility
As we manage the vast breadth of
the resources entrusted to our care,
we strive to keep our rates affordable.
The SFPUC’s goal is to keep your combined water and
sewer bill to less than 2.5% of the average household
income for a single-family residence. For the fiscal
year ending in 2013, the average monthly bill was
$31.30 for water and $44.40 for wastewater.
We believe in transparency, accountability and
public oversight of our rate-setting process. We ensure
transparency by hosting open public meetings and
providing timely, detailed information about projected
rate changes, operational and capital costs. Ratesetting oversight is performed by multiple stakeholders,
including the Rate Fairness Board, independent rate
consultants and financial auditors. We are also subject
to review by the IRS, customers, the Citizens Advisory
Committee, the Revenue Bond Oversight Committee,
the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the
Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office. Our
rate-funded budget must comply with all applicable
State and Federal laws, with consideration of resource
stewardship and affordability.
Our new headquarters at 525 Golden Gate Avenue
is the physical manifestation of our commitment to
fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.
The building uses 32% less energy and consumes
60% less water than similarly sized office buildings.
It is also one of the seismically safest in San Francisco.
Ownership of 525 Golden Gate will save ratepayers
approximately $3.7 billion over the anticipated 100year building lifespan. After the mortgage is paid
off in 26 years, owning 525 Golden Gate becomes
substantially cheaper than renting and will continue
to generate savings for ratepayers thereafter.
Credit Ratings
Water Aa3
Power Not Rated
Sewer Aa3
AANot Rated
AA-
Average Borrowing Rate
Water 4.35%
Power N/A
Sewer 3.81%
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