We love to help inspire children to save water and protect our environment. We offer free school field trips to the following locations: College Hill Learning Garden We designed this educational and demonstration garden to teach local students about environmentally friendly water use, food, energy, and waste systems. 525 Golden Gate Avenue Learn about our green building’s solar power, graywater reuse, and use of recycled materials throughout the building. Hummingbird Farm We partner with a local community organization on this urban farm at Crocker Amazon Park, which offers affordable fresh

As part of our mission, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission works with community and education organizations to create engaging programs that teach children to make sustainable choices in everyday life. We worked with the California Academy of Sciences on The Story of Poo , an animated video following a six-year old girl from San Francisco who learns about what takes place after she flushes the toilet. The story is designed to teach elementary school students about how San Francisco’s sewer system works. It is told through the girl’s perspective and explores her curiosity and

In partnership with the Center for Ecoliteracy, the SFPUC created Big Ideas to serve as a resource for curriculum developers, teachers and schools. The idea for the book is prompted by our commitment to foster the next generation of environmental stewards and provide a water, power and sewer framework for Grades K-12. Big Ideas is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Download a copy of Big Ideas

California-State-Standards-Aligned for K-12 Students "Save Our Water" In these programs of up to 60 minutes, students follow the water cycle and travel through history to learn about the comprehensive and impressive San Francisco Water Supply in this program. They will use inquiry-based methods to understand the importance of water conservation for the sustainability of our city's ecosystems and our own health. To schedule a presentation, contact San Francisco Department of the Environment at ENV-Education@sfgov.org or visit https://www.sfenvironment.org/environmental-education-program .

The Watershed Stewardship Curriculum was designed to teach children lessons pertaining to watershed awareness, green stormwater management, pollution awareness and prevention, and water conservation. Lessons within this curriculum can be adapted for kindergarten through 6th grade, and beyond. Watershed Stewardship Curriculum You may also want to visit the San Francisco Environment Department for additional programs and resources.

Lake Merced, located on the outskirts of San Francisco near Ocean Beach and Daly City, is a major fresh water, recreational, and natural resource for the City and County of San Francisco and the surrounding area. It is also an important stop for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. It is surrounded by two public golf courses - the nine-hole Fleming course and TPC Harding Park, host of the 2009 President's Cup and 2020 PGA Championship. More than half of the park is managed by the Recreation and Parks Department’s Natural Areas Program, which works to restore and protect habitat for birds and

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