Title. | |
Findings. | |
Definitions. | |
Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan. | |
Implementation. | |
Material and Construction Specifications. | |
Penalties. | |
Rules and Regulations. | |
Government Facilities. | |
Reclaimed Water Use Map Designation. | |
Severability. | |
The Board of Supervisors finds that:
(a) It is the responsibility of all water users in California to make effective use of available water resources. In San Francisco, water is distributed by the Water Department, a department of the Public Utilities Commission, which also supplies water to 2.6 million people in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties. The San Francisco Department of Public Works constructs and operates wastewater reclamation facilities and administers building, plumbing and structural construction codes.
(b) The comprehensive management of urban water supplies should consider programs for developing the use of nonpotable and reclaimed water supplies. The Department of Public Works discharges approximately 100 million gallons per day of treated wastewater into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. If this wastewater is given further treatment, it may be capable of being used for irrigation and other nonpotable purposes, thereby reducing potable water demand, and potentially making water available for conjunctive use, groundwater recharge, and other environmental benefits. Further, groundwater in aquifers beneath San Francisco may be utilized for potable and nonpotable purposes.
(c) In 1989 the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 389-89 urging the Department of Public Works and Water Department to expand wastewater reclamation and reuse in San Francisco. Preliminary feasibility studies prepared in 1989 indicated that reclamation could be a viable source of water for use within the City. Based on the results of the preliminary studies, the Departments began development of more extensive studies that will be completed in mid-1992. Preparation of these studies has involved many departments, including the Fire Department, Recreation and Park Department, City Planning Department, Department of Public Health, and several citizen and technical advisory groups. Public meetings have been held beginning in July 1991 and will continue for the duration of the projects.
(d) If established, a comprehensive nonpotable and reclaimed water use program would result in the development of facilities to reclaim and reuse treated wastewater to assist in meeting the future water requirements of the City by supplementing existing surface and groundwater supplies.
(e) Nonpotable and reclaimed water are resources that should be developed for beneficial use wherever it is reasonable to do so, consistent with legal requirements, economic considerations, the public health, safety and welfare, and the preservation of the environment.
(f) This ordinance will enhance achievement of the City's goals for water supply use and preservation and protection of the environment by requiring the Water Department and the Department of Public Works to prepare a coordinated, comprehensive citywide plan for the efficient expansion of the use of reclaimed water and groundwater sources by all water consumers in San Francisco.
(Added by Ord. 390-91, App. 11/7/91 and Ord. 391-91, App. 11/7/91)
The following terms and phrases used in this Article shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.
(a) Development Project. Any project involving the construction, modification, conversion or alteration of any structure or structures or portion of any structure or structures, which will result in the construction, modification, conversion or alteration of 40,000 square feet or more of a building or structure, measured cumulatively from the effective date of this Article. A development project includes all landscaped, irrigated areas constructed in conjunction with the project, but such landscaped area shall not be included in the calculation of square footage for purposes of determining applicability of this definition. For the purposes of Section 1204(f) of this Article, a solely residential project is a development project containing residential uses occupying greater than 75 percent of the usable square footage of the structure containing residential uses.
(b) Irrigation System. Any method of application of water to vegetation. The term "sprinkler system" in applicable City codes shall be construed as meaning irrigation system under this Article when referring to the application of water to vegetation.
(c) Nonpotable Water. Groundwater and other subsurface water that may be used for a beneficial purpose in compliance with applicable City, State and Federal laws defining standards for nonpotable water uses.
(d) Reclaimed Water Distribution System. A delivery system, including but not limited to pipelines, pumps, reservoirs, and controls from the source of supply to the point of connection with a building or structure lateral supply pipeline, intended for the delivery of reclaimed water, and which is separate from any potable water distribution system and complies with all material and construction specifications contained in City codes and other applicable State and Federal laws.
(e) Reclaimed Water Irrigation System. A system designed for the use of reclaimed water for the irrigation of vegetation that complies with all material, construction and water use specifications contained in City codes and other applicable State and Federal laws.
(f) Reclaimed Water System. A system of pipes and related facilities designed and used for the transmission of reclaimed water within buildings and structures, including lateral supply pipelines, that complies with all material and construction specifications contained in City codes and other applicable State and Federal laws.
(g) Reclaimed Water Use Area. An area or areas designated by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works pursuant to this Article where reclaimed water is or will be available for use.
(h) Reclaimed Water Use Area Map. The most recently updated map, including designated reclaimed water use areas, prepared by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works and adopted by the Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission.
(i) Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan. A comprehensive plan prepared by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works for the use of nonpotable and reclaimed water in the City and County of San Francisco and, if feasible, beyond the boundaries of the City.
(j) Reclaimed Water. Water which, as a result of the treatment of wastewater, is suitable for a direct beneficial use.
(Added by Ord. 390-91, App. 11/7/91 and Ord. 391-91, App. 11/7/91)
(a) The Water Department and the Department of Public Works shall prepare a Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan for review and approval by the Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission. By December 1, 1996, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission shall have adopted a Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan. Appropriate sections of Department of Public Works reclamation facilities planning reports and the Urban Water Management Plan prepared by the Water Department shall be incorporated and reconciled with the Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan. The Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan shall be updated at least every five years. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission are not required to adopt a Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan or any portion of such plan if environmental review identifies significant impacts that cannot be mitigated and a finding of overriding benefits cannot be made. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission shall not adopt a Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Master Plan or any amendment or modification thereof, unless either or both has first conducted a duly noticed public hearing thereon. The notice of hearing shall include the time and place of hearing; a general summary of the terms of the proposed Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan or amendment or modification thereof to be considered, including the areas included in the Reclaimed Water Use Area Map and such other information as the Public Utilities Commission or the Chief Administrative Officer considers necessary or desirable. Such notice of hearing shall be provided by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation no less than 20 days prior to the date on which the hearing is scheduled to occur and shall also be included on the next Public Utilities Commission calendar to be mailed following the date of such notice. Mailed notice shall be provided to any person requesting such notice in writing. Such notices shall be in addition to any other notice that may be required by law. The failure of any person to receive notice required by law does not affect the authority of the City and County of San Francisco to adopt the Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan.
(b) Contents. The Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(1) Long-Range Plan for Use of Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water. Development of a long-range plan for the production, delivery and use of nonpotable and reclaimed water in the City, within the wholesale water service area of the Water Department, and in areas outside of the Water Department's service area;
The plan shall include:
(A) Proposals, based on five-year incremental planning and implementation phases, for the expansion of production, delivery and use of reclaimed water,
(B) Identification of opportunities for the expansion of the reclaimed water production system, including the expansion of existing facilities or the development of new wastewater treatment facilities. Estimation of the feasibility and cost of developing such facilities and analysis of financing requirements and alternatives. It is the express intention of this Article to exclude reliance on hookup charges or similar fees or charges in implementing the plan,
(C) Evaluation of the potential demand for reclaimed water,
(D) Analysis of the potential for development and use of groundwater and other subsurface sources and conjunctive use projects, and evaluation of related water quality, aquifer yield and fish and wildlife protection issues;
(2) Reclaimed Water Use Area Map.
(A) A reclaimed water use area map, delineating the areas that are served or, as projected by the Water Department and Department of Public Works, may be served within 10 years of the date of designation of such an area pursuant to this Article, by reclaimed water distribution systems. The map shall be prepared jointly by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Public Utilities Commission shall review the map submitted by the Departments and may either approve the map or reject and remand the map to the Departments for further action. The map may be amended as necessary to reflect all additions and planned additions to the nonpotable and reclaimed water distribution system,
(B) The map shall list and classify as designated reclaimed water use areas all areas within the boundaries of the City and County of San Francisco that meet either of the following criteria:
(i) The area is currently served by a reclaimed water distribution system, or
(ii) The area may be served by a reclaimed water distribution system within ten years, as projected in the Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan,
(C) The areas described in Section 1209 of this Article are hereby designated on the reclaimed water use map for the use of reclaimed water in accordance with this Article. The map areas described in Section 1209 may be modified by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works in the manner set forth in this Section;
(3) Rules and Regulations. Description and analysis of relevant City, State and Federal rules, regulations, standards and procedures governing the production, distribution and use of nonpotable and reclaimed water;
(4) Financial Assistance. Identification of resources and recommendation of specific measures to assist nonpotable and reclaimed water users to finance necessary nonpotable and reclaimed water use projects, including but not limited to identification of incentives, discounts in water rates or other measures;
(5) Pilot and Demonstration Projects. Identification of demonstration or pilot projects to substitute the use of potable water with nonpotable and reclaimed water;
(6) Public Awareness Program. Evaluation of and recommendations for the establishment and operation of a public awareness program to promote the use of nonpotable and reclaimed water;
(7) Mandatory Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use. Evaluation and recommendation of types of water use, such as greenbelt irrigation, agricultural irrigation, office building uses, filling of habitat lakes, or industrial processes, that shall be required, wholly or partially, to use nonpotable or reclaimed water;
(8) Interagency Coordination. Recommendations for actions to coordinate efforts between the City and other local and regional governmental agencies to share in the production and utilization of nonpotable and reclaimed water within and outside the boundaries of the City;
(9) Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Source Protection. Recommendations for control measures and management practices necessary to maintain or improve the quality of nonpotable and reclaimed water.
(c) Status Report. An annual report on the status and implementation of the Nonpotable and Reclaimed Water Use Master Plan shall be jointly prepared by the Water Department and the Department of Public Works and submitted to the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Health, the Fire Department, the Recreation and Park Department and any other interested City agencies. This annual report shall include a yearly audit of the resulting offset in use of fresh water, if any, and identification of the uses of the saved water.
(Added by Ord. 390-91, App. 11/7/91 and Ord. 391-91, App. 11/7/91; amended by Ord. 393-94, App. 11/23/94)
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