SFPUC Water Policies: Efficiency Indoors and Out, and Stormwater

Creating new impervious surfaces tends to increase stormwater flows, affecting the capacity of San Francisco infrastructure to handle wet weather and comply with regional permits. SFPUC conducts project reviews to ensure that new and redevelopment projects disturbing 5,000 square feet or more of the ground surface reduce their impacts on the wastewater system and the Bay. For more information, visit the SFPUC website.

Irrigating lawns and other plants that are not adapted to local conditions can use a lot of water. Alternative approaches, including installing climate-appropriate landscapes, harvesting rainwater, and greywater reuse, each decrease water costs while putting water that would otherwise go into our sewer system back to work. To find out which plants need the least amounts of irrigation and pesticides, to learn more about reusing water, and to understand the Water Efficient Irrigation Ordinance, visit the SFPUC website.