Water Resources Division Annual Report FY 2015-2016 | Page 22

Forward Thinking During FY 2015-16, the population of San Francisco increased by over 9,000 people. Despite the population increase, water demand decreased, which indicates that water conservation is an effective strategy to maximize water use efficiency amongst SFPUC customers. The SFPUC works on long-term plans to help diversify water supplies in anticipation of future growth in the San Francisco Bay Area, and will continue to evaluate and adapt its water resource programs to respond to changing conditions and regulations. NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION Leaders from the SFPUC participated in the White House Water Summit announcing a commitment to accelerate the development of on-site water reuse projects. The SFPUC and the U.S. Water Alliance are partnering to convene the National Blue Ribbon Commission to Accelerate the Adoption of On-site Water Reuse. The two-year effort, beginning in fall 2016, will bring together stakeholders to develop concrete, actionable policy and regulatory recommendations. This effort will also foster state-level peer exchange and learning amongst water utilities and state public health agencies who are working to establish standards and practices to increase the adoption of on-site reuse in communities across the U.S. SPFUC Water Resources Divison Manager Paula Kehoe participated in the White House Water Summit in March 2016. WINNER OF THE IMAGINE H2O POLICY CHALLENGE A joint proposal between the SFPUC and the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) was the winning entry to Imagine H2O’s inaugural California Water Policy Challenge, which attracted over 100 submissions from academia, the private sector, government entities, and non-governmental organizations. The SFPUC plans to draft a statewide policy for on-site water systems collecting and treating alternate water sources (graywater, blackwater, rainwater, stormwater, and foundation drainage) in commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use buildings in California. The policy will cover a number of guidelines, including water quality criteria and monitoring requirements, allowed alternate water sources and end uses, permitting, and operational strategies. AWE will receive up to $25,000 in support to assist with outreach on the draft policy. 20