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SFPUC opens long-range water plan discussion as East Palo Alto seeks 1.5 MGD increase
Summary
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission began developing a CEQA-ready 2040 Water Management Action Plan and took substantial public testimony from East Palo Alto officials and residents asking the agency to prioritize a 1.5 million gallons-per-day supply increase to enable affordable housing and economic development.
Steve Ritchie, assistant general manager for water, opened a months-long planning process for the commission on a proposed 2040 Water Management Action Plan, saying staff seeks guidance to craft a program description suitable for CEQA review.
The plan frames five core questions for future action: how to maintain the 184 million gallons-per-day (MGD) wholesale supply assurance; whether San Jose and Santa Clara should become permanent customers; how to address East Palo Alto’s request for 1.5 MGD; whether transfers of individual supply guarantees are feasible; and whether the commission should revise drought-rationing objectives.
"We need guidance on development of a new program description that can be used for CEQA review," Ritchie told commissioners, outlining supply options including additional diversions from the Tuolumne River, desalination, recycled water and indirect or direct potable reuse.
Public testimony focused heavily on East Palo Alto. Lisa Gauthier, Council Member for the City of East Palo Alto, said the city is at or near its current guarantee and "is requesting that the SFPUC prioritize East Palo Alto's request for another 1.5 MGD of water supply" to permit planned affordable housing and economic-development projects.
Representatives from the Congresswoman’s office, local business groups and public-health staff said lack of water constrains housing and job growth. Jeff Page, president of the Ravenswood Shores Business District, and Maeve Johnston, a San Mateo County community health planner, linked increased water to economic opportunity and public-health benefits.
Wholesale-customer representatives urged the SFPUC to undertake engineering and environmental work to support decision-making. Nicole Sankula Vasca urged the commission to commit to the level-of-service goals adopted as part of the 2008 Water System Improvement Program.
Commissioners framed the problem as two separate categories: East Palo Alto’s needs as an existing permanent customer with an insufficient guarantee, and San Jose/Santa Clara as interruptible customers that may seek permanent status. Several commissioners pressed staff to prioritize ‘‘low-hanging fruit’’—conservation measures and reuse projects that can be advanced more quickly—while directing planners to attach concrete projects, costs and timelines to goals.
Ritchie emphasized that some supply options—such as indirect potable reuse—are already under study and that the commission must weigh cost, permitting and timing before committing to major capital projects. He noted the commission is required under the 2009 water supply agreement to decide on San Jose and Santa Clara’s status by the end of 2018.
Next steps: staff will prepare a program description for CEQA and return with a prioritized package of projects and cost/timeline information for commission guidance and potential action.
