Cities
Solution by: City and County of San Francisco
City Program Encourages Onsite Water Treatment San Fancisco, USA: The Non-potable Water Program helps conserve San Francisco’s water supplies while proactively supporting the green building movement.
TE C LI M A IT F E BEN
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San Francisco’s Non-potable Water Program enables buildings to incorporate decentralized, onsite water systems for use within one building or shared between several buildings. According to the program, collecting and treating non-traditional sources of water, such as rainwater, stormwater, and gray water, can reduce the use of potable water by up to 50% for residential buildings and up to 90% for commercial buildings.1 The collected water is used for irrigation of green surfaces, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses.
ENVIRONMENTAL This solution reduces the amount of energy and chemicals needed to treat collected water.
THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
SOCIAL Onsite water systems allow communities to sustainably utilize available water resources for irrigation of green areas, which improves quality of life for residents.
ECONOMIC Providing up to $500,000 in grants per project incentivizes the installation of onsite water treatment, which will reduce long-term water expenses for upgraded buildings.
“We must create a new water paradigm. One where water is used and reused multiple times at different scales.” PAULA KEHOE, DIRECTOR OF WATER RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
DEVELOPED IN ...
USA
DEPLOYED IN ...
USA
1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “WaterSense.” May 2015. Online: www.epa.gov
United Nations World Water Assessment Programme. “The United Nations World Water Development Report 2015: Water for a Sustainable.” Report. 2015. Paris UNESCO
2
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SUSTAINIA100
With the program, San Francisco has created a new water management paradigm within the city, where the processes of installing and sharing onsite water treatment has been streamlined for the private sector. The program provides up to $500,000 in financial support to building owners who install onsite water treatment. WHY A SUSTAINIA100 SOLUTION? According to the UN, water overconsumption is now so critical that the world faces a 40% “global water deficit” by 2030. 2 San Francisco’s Non-potable Water Program helps mitigate water scarcity in water-stressed California by reducing water usage in private and commercial buildings.