San Francisco PUC convenes experts, plans citywide adaptation process for water and coastal infrastructure

San Francisco — The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission convened scientists, regional regulators and utility leaders on Feb. 24 to examine how climate change could alter water supplies and threaten coastal and wastewater infrastructure, and to outline near‑term steps the city will take to adapt.

David Behar, the PUC’s climate lead, opened the workshop by saying that “water utilities are the first responders to the effects of climate change,” framing the session around two priorities: reducing greenhouse gases (mitigation) and adapting operations and infrastructure to rising seas and shifting runoff. Speakers warned that changes are already measurable and urged the city to move from planning to action.

Will Travis, executive director of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, said historic records show Bay waters rose about 7 inches during the 20th century and presented scenarios in which the Bay could rise roughly one meter by the end of this century. He warned that “we can't wait a century to deal with this problem,” noting that low‑lying filled lands, San Francisco International…