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SFPUC: reservoirs and snowpack lag; agency designates groundwater basins and moves to prepare sustainability plan
Summary
SFPUC staff reported below-average precipitation and snowpack while the commission voted to designate the SFPUC as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for several local basins and to prepare a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the North West Side basin.
At its March meeting the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission received a drought update and took formal steps on groundwater planning. Ellen Levin, Deputy Manager for the Water Enterprise, told the commission that system storage is higher this year than a year ago (66.4% vs. ~61.9%), but cumulative precipitation and snowpack remain well below normal (Hetch Hetchy at about 37.4% of average; snowpack roughly 20% of April 1 conditions). Levin stressed that 30% of the region’s precipitation historically falls from March to June and urged customers to maintain conservation measures.
Levin briefed commissioners on State Water Resources Control Board activity, including monthly reporting for pre-1914 water-right holders and draft prohibitions that may include limits on irrigation frequency and new leak-notification requirements. She said SFPUC is piloting leak notification and will continue to evaluate how state orders would interact with local allocation and excess-use charge mechanisms.
On groundwater, the commission held a public hearing and voted to establish the SFPUC as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for several basins within the city and county, citing compliance with California Water Code requirements. The commission also adopted a resolution of intent to prepare a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the North West Side basin. Levin explained the GSP work will build on existing groundwater storage and recovery projects, conjunctive-use planning with wholesale customers, and an ongoing local groundwater project intended to convert some groundwater use in Golden Gate Park to potable supply (increasing that component by about 2 million gallons per day to reach roughly 4 MGD total for the park project).
Public commenters were supportive. Peter Drechmeyer of Tuolumne River Trust praised the work and suggested advanced purification and recharge projects, and Eric Brooks (San Francisco Green Party) urged a public education campaign to reassure residents that locally managed groundwater would meet drinking-water expectations.
Next steps: staff will prepare a draft GSP for public review and bring it back to the commission for adoption consideration.
