Landscapes that utilize water-wise principles not only conserve water but help prevent runoff, provide a natural habitat for local wildlife, result in reduced maintenance costs, and contribute to the beauty of our urban landscapes. To ensure the efficient use of water for all San Francisco landscapes, projects with 500 square feet or more of new or modified landscape area are required to comply with the Water Efficient Irrigation Ordinance. Projects must design, install, and maintain efficient irrigation systems, utilize low water-use plantings, and set a Maximum Applied Water Allowance, also

To help the novice gardener or the experienced landscaper, we provide a variety of resources to help you create and maintain a beautiful, water-efficient and less toxic urban garden. Rainwater Harvesting Explore our rebates that lower the cost of a cistern or rain barrel for your home or business, enabling you to harness the bounty of rain we receive in our city. Graywater/Laundry-to-Landscape Don't let good water go to waste! Imagine using water from your shower or your clothes washer to help grow the plants in your garden. Using graywater can reduce the amount of drinking water used for

Keep your sewer lateral in good condition and help reduce the risk of sewer backups. How to Protect your Property and Environment? Never let fats, oils or grease go down the drain; compost it instead. Dumping grease down the drain can clog the sewer pipes, result in back-ups or overflows onto your property or streets, foul odors, and costly damage to sewer infrastructure. Remember that your toilet is an “only-human-waste-and-toilet-paper-zone.” Nothing, except the 3 P’s (pee, poop and toilet paper), go down the drains. Upper Lateral Responsibility: The upper sewer lateral is an extension of

To be prepared for an emergency, you should know the location of your water shutoff valve and how to use it. Experts say there is more than a 60 percent chance that a major earthquake will occur in the Bay Area within the next 30 years. After such an event, your water supply might be unavailable for 72 hours or more. During an earthquake, water tanks and appliances connected to your home’s plumbing can shift and cause a leak, leading to flooding or additional damage. You can prepare for an emergency by knowing in advance where your home’s main water supply is and how to shut it off. Water

Storing drinking water is a critical part of being prepared for an emergency. Learn more about how much you should have, how to store it, and how to treat water if you need more. Experts say there is more than a 60 percent chance that a major earthquake will occur in the Bay Area within the next 30 years. After such an event, your water supply might be unavailable for 72 hours or more. This is why it is critically important to be prepared with an emergency water supply to ensure that you and your family have drinking water even in the event of a disaster. How Much Water Do I Need in My

Is your property at risk of flooding in a major rainstorm? Review our 100-year Storm Flood Risk Map, learn about legislation regarding property sale disclosures, and take advantage of our programs to help you prepare for and minimize impacts of heavy rains on your property. 100-Year Storm Flood Risk Map As San Francisco has developed over time, its hilly topography has been largely paved over. During extreme storms, storm runoff flows still follow the naturally-formed historical waterways. When this occurs, we can experience flooding that sometimes results in property damage. The SFPUC has

We designed this educational and demonstration garden to teach local students about environmentally friendly water use, food, energy, and waste systems. It is open for field trips and group tours by appointment. The College Hill Learning Garden is an education and demonstration garden designed to teach local students about how they can help cities transition to ecologically friendly water, food, energy, and waste systems. Open to the public since April 2016, the garden is owned, maintained, and operated by the SFPUC. The Learning Garden contains dozens of interactive features, including a

The Hummingbird Farm transforms underutilized land into a community farm with the goal of supporting the health and wellness of residents. The farm aims to teach water conservation and sustainable food practices to communities in the Excelsior neighborhood and the Southeast while training community leaders to promote growing and eating healthy food. Our Agency partners with PODER , a local community organization, on the Hummingbird Farm, an urban agriculture farm at Crocker Amazon Park. Located on six acres of SFPUC land, the farm makes affordable produce available to communities in the

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has been constructing an interpretive center on our watershed lands in the East Bay with a planned opening in 2024. The Alameda Creek Watershed Center will showcase the community benefits and public education aspects of the Water Enterprise Environmental Stewardship Policy. It will fulfill our commitment to develop public education and recreation amenities at this site. The Center will be located adjacent to the Sunol Water Temple, as well as the nearby Sunol AgPark and newly-constructed Corporation Yard and Watershed Nursery. The Alameda Creek

Public in-person tours of 525 Golden Gate are not being offered at this time.