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PUC updates reservoirs and demand; governor’s order pushes permanent water-use changes
Summary
SFPUC said reservoir storage and snowpack improved and system demand remains below last year, with about 425,000 acre‑feet available. Staff summarized a recent governor’s executive order directing state agencies to make several temporary drought rules permanent and to strengthen shortage contingency planning; SFPUC will analyze and comment to the State Water Board.
Assistant General Manager for Water Steve Ritchie briefed commissioners on regional water supply and a recent governor's executive order aimed at transitioning some temporary drought restrictions into permanent water‑use policies.
Ritchie said storage and snowpack improved relative to recent years and SFPUC currently estimates roughly 425,000 acre‑feet of water available to the city, with reservoirs likely about 80,000 acre‑feet shy of full at the current trajectory. System demand remains below last year’s levels and conservation continues to reduce use, he said.
He reviewed elements of the governor’s directive: updating emergency conservation regulations with an eye toward permanent long‑term water‑use improvements; extending monthly reporting and certain water‑waste prohibitions (e.g., irrigation of sod medians) into non‑emergency regulations; strengthening shortage contingency plans; and updating agricultural water management standards. The State Water Board was scheduled to consider modified emergency regulations and a framework for certification and reporting on May 18, and Ritchie said SFPUC would comment on the process.
Ritchie recommended the PUC consider continuing at least a 10 percent voluntary systemwide reduction until analyses are complete and staff returns with a definitive recommendation at the May 24 or early June meeting.
