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SFPUC readies mandatory 10% retail cut, leak-detection push after state drought order
Summary
Acting SFPUC water officials told commissioners that a state order seeking a 25% statewide reduction will put San Francisco in a lower tier (about 10% required for retail customers). Staff described leak-detection postcards, plans to accelerate local groundwater wells and said finance expects a near-term revenue shortfall that can be managed from reserves.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on April 14 heard a drought update from Steve Ritchie, the SFPUC’s assistant general manager for water, who said state action will make the Commission’s voluntary 10% retail conservation goal a mandatory requirement for the city’s retail customers.
Ritchie said state guidance would set a 2013 baseline and direct the State Water Board to impose restrictions intended to achieve a statewide 25% reduction in potable urban water use. Under the draft framework, San Francisco’s historically low residential per‑capita use (about 45 gallons per person per day) places the city in a lower-savings tier, and staff told the commission that retail customers would likely be required to cut use by 10% from 2013 levels.
The SFPUC will step up retail conservation,…
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