Water Resources Division Annual Report FY 2015-2016 | Page 13

RAINWATER HARVESTING PROGRAM

LANDSCAPE AUDITS

In October 2015, the SFPUC launched a new Rainwater
Harvesting Program where residents of one- and two-unit
homes could receive a free 50-gallon rain barrel and a
free downspout diverter kit. In March 2016, the Rainwater
Harvesting Program was expanded to offer residents and
businesses generous discounts on up to two rain barrels
per customer, or one larger capacity cistern. In total,
579 rain barrels and 16 cisterns were distributed in
FY 2015-16.

The Landscape Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
provides comprehensive landscape and irrigation
assessments to San Francisco retail customers with
over a half-acre of irrigated area. This year, the SFPUC
assessed seven of the largest retail customer sites and
identified irrigation efficiency improvements and plant
recommendations for over 25 acres of landscaped area
in San Francisco. With a mandatory 25% reduction in
landscape water use required for irrigation customers,
the SFPUC also implemented focused outreach efforts to
customers struggling to meet their irrigation allocations.
Resources like LTAP and My Account were offered to
help customers evaluate the efficiency of their irrigation
systems and monitor daily water use.

LAUNDRY-TO-LANDSCAPE PROGRAM
This year, the SFPUC re-established its Laundry-toLandscape (L2L) Program, offering residents a $125
discount off the purchase of a graywater kit that directs
water from the clothes washing machine into the garden
for irrigation. Between program launch in March 2016 and
June 2016, seven discounted graywater kits have been
purchased. Program participants receive training, access
to a free tool kit, and on-site technical assistance to help
install, design, and maintain their graywater system.

An L2L graywater system uses the clothes washer’s
rinse water for subsurface irrigation.

COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANTS
During FY 2015-16, the SFPUC awarded three new
community and urban agriculture gardens with grant
funding to install dedicated irrigation water meters. This
grant program allows community gardens to monitor and
efficiently manage their water use.

Ridge Lane Neighbors (located in the Ingleside neighborhood)
received a new irrigation water service to transform
the first phase of their pedestrian walkway.

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