NEWS RELEASE 
SFPUC Contact:
Joseph Sweiss
(628) 231-9861
jsweiss@sfwater.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2023

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Votes to End Local Drought Declaration

Today’s vote repeals the City’s drought surcharge adopted in 2021 in response to exceptionally dry weather conditions across the state.

SAN FRANCISCO —  The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) today voted unanimously to rescind the Water Shortage Emergency Declaration due to systemwide hydrologic conditions and high water storage levels in SFPUC reservoirs. The Commission also lifted the drought surcharge, effective May 1, 2023.

“Recent storms have made this year one of the wettest on record, and snowpack has reached historic levels,” said Dennis Herrera, SFPUC General Manager. “This follows three of the driest years in recorded history. While these storms may have ended the latest drought for much of California, climate change is resulting in weather whiplash. Rapid shifts between extreme weather mean long-term vulnerabilities for our water supply. Over the next 10 years, the SFPUC is investing billions in capital improvement programs to ensure reliable delivery of clean drinking water, systemwide climate change adaptation, and ratepayer affordability.”

Adopted in November 2021, the SFPUC’s water shortage emergency instituted a temporary drought surcharge for retail water and wastewater customers of up to 5% on part of their bill, effective April 1, 2022. With today’s vote to rescind the emergency declaration, the temporary drought surcharge will end as well.

The SFPUC’s 11% systemwide voluntary water use reduction remains in effect (5% from San Francisco customers and 16% from wholesale agencies). This is because the State Water Board’s regulations require urban water agencies remain in Level 2 drought response.

Restrictions against certain wasteful uses of water are permanent in San Francisco. For more information, visit the SFPUC’s Wasteful Water Use FAQ here.

For more information on today’s Commission meeting, visit the SFPUC’s 2023 Commission Meeting agenda and minutes here.

About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets over 70 percent of the electricity demand in San Francisco. Our mission is to provide our customers with high-quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. Learn more at www.sfpuc.org