The ordinance lowers the size threshold for new buildings to use alternative water sources from 250,000 to 100,000 square feet and exempts some affordable housing projects from this requirement. It also establishes specific non-potable water usage guidelines, modifies fees, and mandates reports on water systems.
Ordinance amending the Health Code to 1) lower the threshold, from 250,000 to 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, for requiring that new buildings be constructed, operated, and maintained using specified alternate water sources for required non-potable uses; 2) exempt certain affordable housing projects and property uses from that requirement; 3) require that certain categories of new buildings use specific sources of nonpotable water for specific purposes; 4) modify certain administrative review fees; 5) require the payment of excess use charges and penalties for failure to properly use and maintain alternate water source systems; and 6) the completion of reports on purified water, recycled water, and Non-potable District Systems; amending the Business and Tax Regulations Code to update certain annual license fee amounts for operating alternate water source systems; and affirming the Planning Departmentβs determination under the California Environmental Quality Act.
How it got here
The legislation originated from a need to enhance water conservation efforts in San Francisco by amending existing health and business codes related to non-potable water use.
Supervisor Mandelman introduced the ordinance to amend the Health Code regarding alternate water sources for non-potable applications.
The legislation was substituted to include additional requirements and clarifications regarding non-potable water systems.
The Planning Department affirmed that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act.
The committee held a hearing, amended the ordinance, and recommended it for passage.
The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, which lowers the threshold for non-potable water requirements and includes various exemptions.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record