Embracing OneWaterSF
Traditionally, utilities have taken a “water in, wastewater out” approach to water management. Planning was done
in silos with water managers responsible for securing potable water, and wastewater managers responsible for
removing “used” and “nuisance” water. This compartmentalized approach overlooks the potential of alternative
sources of water to be included in a water supply future. The SFPUC recognizes that the traditional approach
to water management leaves unrealized water and clean energy benefits on the table.
In recent years, the SFPUC has begun implementing projects that utilize local and alternative water supplies
such as groundwater, rainwater, and recycled water. Developing these projects necessitated an evolution in
our thinking – a shift from thinking about one project at a time to thinking more holistically; thinking about
the impact of one water source on another; thinking about the potential synergies between our water system
operations. More simply, this thinking allowed us to view all water as One Water.
One Water is an integrated planning and implementation approach
to managing finite water resources for long-term resiliency and
reliability, meeting both community and ecosystem needs.
– Water Research Foundation, 2016
Moccasin Powerhouse
We have also expanded this thinking to how our water and wastewater systems consume energy, and their
potential to generate clean energy. The Hetch Hetchy Power system has long been recognized as San Francisco’s
clean energy backbone, generating hydroelectricity at three powerhouses in the Sierra Nevada. In recent
years, we have expanded our energy portfolio to include additional sources of clean renewable power that
can be generated from within the water and wastewater system – such as solar energy from photovoltaic
cells co-located at our facilities and biogas generation at our wastewater treatment plants. These efforts help
reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
As a result, the SFPUC has already begun to realize the synergies and multiple benefits of thinking across
traditional water, wastewater, and energy boundaries. We have initiated innovative programs and policies that
will make our water supply and energy system more resilient and sustainable. With this transition underway,
the SFPUC is positioned to formalize a OneWaterSF framework, and embrace new opportunities for innovative
resource management.
5