SFPUC: storage stabilizes but drought persists; Lower Cherry Aqueduct rehab eyed

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 25 received a water‑supply update as the region continues to contend with drought conditions. Steve Ritchie, assistant general manager for water, said total system reservoir storage had "stabilized" after recent precipitation to roughly 1,000,000 acre‑feet but that only about 300,000 acre‑feet of that volume is directly available for potable supply.

Ritchie reviewed shortfalls in both rain and snowpack and described management actions already underway, including a Jan. 31 call for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in water use systemwide and an emergency contracting declaration to rehabilitate the Lower Cherry Aqueduct. He told commissioners the rehabilitation could provide access to an additional 200,000 acre‑feet and that the project "will probably cost in the range of 10 to $20,000,000," with an operational target of Oct. 1.

Ritchie said alternatives for operating Cherry Lake water include routing that supply away from the traditional powerhouse pathway; that option affects whether water must be filtered or can be handled in a way that minimizes treatment impacts. "The cherry quality is actually very, very good," he said, but cautioned the supply lacks some of the watershed controls of Hetch Hetchy and that the department is "working with the Department of Public Health on probably the best way to manage our supplies." He said staff were preparing a revised estimate of available water for wholesale customers after the weekend storms, and that a formal declaration of shortage under the water code might be considered after final estimates in mid‑April.

Ritchie also noted recent state‑level funding proposals the department is tracking. He said a bond‑linked integrated regional water management proposal totals about $472,000,000 statewide, with roughly $200,000,000 proposed as a drought‑relief set‑aside. The commission asked technical questions about mixing and filtration; Ritchie said staff are evaluating operational strategies to extend supplies while meeting public‑health requirements.

Next steps noted by staff include issuing an updated available water estimate in the days after the storm, producing the April 15 final water‑availability estimate, and continuing coordination with other city departments and state officials on drought relief funding and project permitting. The commission did not take a formal regulatory action on the Lower Cherry Aqueduct at the meeting.