Water Resources Division Annual Report FY 2015-2016 | Page 5

The Regional Water System is a public asset that plays a key role in delivering high-quality drinking water to 2.6 million residents and businesses in the Bay Area . The system collects water from the Tuolumne River in the Sierra Nevada and from protected local watersheds in the East Bay and on the Peninsula . The SFPUC delivers water to 27 wholesale customers in Alameda , Santa Clara , and San Mateo counties and provides direct retail water service to customers in San Francisco and a small number of customers outside of San Francisco . The Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency ( BAWSCA ) represents the interests of 26 of the 27 wholesale customers and also coordinates their water conservation , supply , and recycling activities .

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is the largest of eight storage reservoirs within the Regional Water System .

Rain or shine , it is important to consider water conservation as a way of life . California ’ s ongoing drought underscores the need to continue enhancing local water supplies and water conservation programs , in both the wholesale and retail service areas . While local supplies such as recycled water , groundwater , and non-potable water often require a significant amount of time to plan and implement , the SFPUC is more committed than ever to balancing future needs by expanding its water portfolio . Additionally , the SFPUC continues to work with other Bay Area water agencies to explore regional water supply opportunities such as transfers , desalination , and purified water projects that can be developed jointly .

SAN JOSE

Bay Division Pipelines Nos . 3 & 4

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