Commission defers vote on regional desalination study after environmental groups raise concerns

The commission considered a memorandum of agreement to join a multi-agency study of a proposed Bay Area regional desalination project and whether to contribute up to $200,000 for site-specific analysis.

Commissioner Steve Ritchie said the study — a joint effort with East Bay Municipal Utility District, Contra Costa Water District, Santa Clara Valley Water District and Zone 7 — would examine hydraulic modeling, Delta hydrology, the project's carbon footprint and public outreach. For study purposes, Ritchie said San Francisco had been modeled at 9 million gallons per day, though a final commitment would come only after studies.

"At this point, we're interested in 9,000,000 gallons per day out of the project for study purposes," Ritchie said.

Public commenters, including Eric Brooks of the San Francisco Green Party, criticized moving the item forward without broader environmental engagement and argued desalination is premature and carries environmental and climate costs. Brooks encouraged prioritizing storage and recycled-water options over desalination.

Commissioners debated whether MOA language implying supply for "periods of supply shortfall or during emergencies" should instead be framed more broadly as "future supplies." The commission approved an amendment to the resolution replacing the narrower phrasing. When the full board vote was taken, the chair observed the required three affirmative votes were not present for final action. Commissioners then voted to continue the item to a future meeting to allow fuller participation and outreach to environmental stakeholders.

The continued status preserves the study partners' work to date but delays any SFPUC financial commitment pending further review and discussion with a full commission present.