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PUC urges Board of Supervisors to allow landlords to pass through 50% of water/sewer rate increases if efficiency fixtures installed
Summary
The commission approved a resolution asking the Board of Supervisors to permit landlords to pass through 50% of post‑rate adoption water and sewer increases to tenants if water‑efficient fixtures are installed in all units; the PUC will provide tenant notices, an online usage lookup and conduct or prioritize water audits to verify compliance.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission adopted a resolution urging the Board of Supervisors to enact an ordinance permitting landlords to pass through 50% of increased water and sewer charges to tenants when landlords install water‑efficient fixtures in all rental units and common areas.
Laura Spanden, head of external affairs, said the resolution implements parts of the rate decisions the commission made in 2007 and responds to legislation introduced by Supervisor Alioto‑Pier earlier in the year. The proposal would require landlords to install specified water conservation devices and allow a landlord to pass through half of the adopted rate increase where audit verification shows the required fixtures are in place.
The resolution also asks the PUC to provide an annual tenant notice (to supplement landlord notices), create an online usage lookup so tenants can compare usage over time, and conduct water audits to verify fixture installation and to prioritize in‑person audits for units whose usage exceeds a baseline.
Commissioners asked about the measure’s status (it remains in the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Committee), the fiscal impact of mailing additional notices (staff estimated a mailing at roughly $30,000), and availability of rebate programs for low‑flow fixtures. Spanden said rebates and programs exist and that landlords could utilize those incentives.
After discussion, the commission voted to adopt the resolution and to direct staff to implement the tenant notice, online usage tool and audit approach described in the resolution. The resolution does not itself change the administrative code; it is a statement of the commission’s support for the proposed Board ordinance and for PUC implementation steps should the ordinance be adopted.
