Water Resources Division Annual Report FY 2016-2017 | Page 18

Forward Thinking – Water Supply Planning
The Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System has served the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 100 years and will continue to be the cornerstone
of our water supply. But in light of uncertainties due to climate variability, earthquakes, regulatory changes and population growth, our ability to
deliver water reliably is at risk if we don’t proactively plan for our community’s water future. The SFPUC continues to work with other Bay Area
water agencies to explore regional water supply opportunities such as transfers and purified water projects that can be developed jointly.
It takes years, if not decades, to evaluate, fund and develop new water supply projects. The SFPUC has a responsibility to plan and implement
projects now to be ready in advance of the need so we can reliably maintain a high-quality water supply. Diversifyi ng our water sources is one of
the most important steps we are taking to prepare for the risks we face and ensure a sustainable water supply for generations to come.
REGIONAL GROUNDWATER STORAGE
& RECOVERY PROJECT
The Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery
Project is a partnership between the SFPUC, the
California Water Service Company (serving South
San  Francisco and Colma), the City of Daly City and
the City of San Bruno. This project is a sustainable,
conjunctive use project that has storage and recovery
components. During years of normal or heavy rainfall,
the project will provide additional surface water from
the Regional Water System to the partner agencies in
order to reduce the amount of groundwater pumped
from the South Westside Groundwater Basin. Over
time, the reduced groundwater pumping will result in
increased storage of up to 20 billion gallons. The stored
water will serve as an additional water supply during
a drought. Construction of Phase 1 of the project,
consisting of installation of 13 production wells, will be
completed in 2019.
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