Water Resources Division Annual Report FY 2016-2017 | Page 2

Dear Partners, Customers and Stakeholders,
Thanks to the collective efforts of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and our customers, we continued to provide 2.7 million
people with reliable, high-quality drinking water during the historic California drought. 2012-2015 was the hottest and driest period in California’s
history since record keeping began. Between January 2014 and April 2017, we saved a total of 43 billion gallons (or 16%) across our regional system
compared to 2013 levels. That is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are grateful to our customers for their commitment to conservation.
We could not have achieved these results without years of strategic planning, strong regional partnerships, robust outreach and education
campaigns and common sense regulations. Conservation is now a way of life for California. Wet or dry year, there is never enough water to waste.
This year we are implementing key projects that diversify our water supply. After more than a decade of planning, our San Francisco Groundwater
Supply Project is nearly complete and we have begun blending a small amount of groundwater with our regional supplies. Construction is also
underway for our Westside Advanced Treated Recycled Water Project. This project will generate recycled water for irrigation and lake-filling,
allowing us to save precious potable supplies for drinking water.
Since we had abundant rain and snow over the winter, some of our stakeholders have wondered why we need these projects now. Droughts are
inevitable and unpredictable. In addition, climate change, population growth and regulatory changes are potential risks. We cannot take our
water for granted. These projects play a critical role in diversifying our water supply portfolio for the future.
We are responsible for ensuring the reliability and resiliency
of our water supply for today and for future generations.
It’s our goal and our obligation to prepare now for whatever
tomorrow may bring. On behalf of the SFPUC, I am pleased
to issue the Water Resources Division Annual Report for
Fiscal Year 2016-17.
Paula Kehoe, Director of Water Resources