Quick Summary: Wildfires are getting larger and more common in California. Climate change is causing extremes like less rain and more heat. Another problem is that plants grow fuller and thicker when fires are prevented for a very long time. That creates more fuel for future fires. Also, when people build homes and businesses in the forest it's hard to protect them. The water we supply comes from three different regions. Wildfires within any of these areas could be harmful and could reduce water quality. This page explains how wildfires can affect water quality and how we protect the water

Quick Summary: Our water supply system runs from the Sierra Nevada to San Francisco. We have reservoirs in the Sierras, in the East Bay and on the Peninsula. Our water system includes tunnels, pipelines, and treatment systems. At different times, we change water sources from one reservoir to another. These changes depend on demand and supply and for maintenance. Depending on where we get the water, it goes to a different place to be treated. Sometimes this can cause a few people to notice a change in the taste or smell of their water. This webpage explains what can cause a strange taste or

Quick Summary Quinoline is a chemical. It can be used to make coal tar. Until around 1950, coal tar was sometimes used to line drinking water pipelines to prevent corrosion. In very large amounts, quinoline is bad for health. Over the past 20 years, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission removed all coal tar linings in City reservoirs and removed or relined a portion of the pipelines that had coal tar. This webpage explains that our drinking water is safe from quinoline. What is Quinoline? Quinoline (C9H7N) is a semi-volatile organic compound that is used as a pharmaceutical (anti

Quick Summary You may have heard of a group of chemicals called PFAS. They are resistant to heat, water and oil. PFAS were used in many consumer and industrials products but were phased out about 20 years ago. PFAS can get into water under ground or on the surface near factories where they were produced or used. PFAS can also be found near where they were used for firefighting. Examples are places like airfields, military bases and oil refineries. Tests on San Francisco drinking water have not detected any PFAS. You can learn more about PFAS on this page. What are PFAS Per- and polyfluoroalkyl

SFPUC customers can receive a rebate of up to $1,000 for eligible Energy Star water-efficient commercial grade clothes washers installed in laundromats, commercial properties, or common area laundry rooms of multi-family properties. See our Residential-Washer Rebate Program for qualifying Energy Star washers serving single-family homes or individual apartments or condos. Eligibility Requirements: The property where the clothes washer is installed has an active commercial or multi-family SFPUC water account. Commercial grade machines must be installed in commercial properties or in the common

Quick Summary The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission supplies drinking water to almost three million people in the Bay Area. About one-third of the water goes to people in San Francisco. About two-thirds goes to water companies in nearby towns and cities. More than eight out of every ten gallons of water we provide comes from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. We also have two reservoirs in Alameda County and two reservoirs in San Mateo County. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is mostly filled with water that comes from melting snow. The mountains around the reservoir are granite and the area is undeveloped

Quick Summary Nitrate is a chemical in groundwater that comes from both natural and manmade sources. Small amounts of nitrate in groundwater are found naturally in soil. High amounts of nitrate in groundwater happen when people use fertilizers or animal manure, or when sewer pipes leak. Nitrate is carried by rain and irrigation. It can easily travel through soil and into groundwater. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) monitored nitrate in all its water. We test water in our reservoirs, in our groundwater wells, and treated drinking water. The SFPUC’s drinking water is safe

Quick Summary Plastic is used to make many items. When plastic is thrown out, it can cause pollution in the environment. For a long time, people have cared about plastic pollution like containers and bags. Now, people are worried about tiny pieces, called microplastics. Microplastics have been found throughout the environment. Scientists are studying about how much microplastics are in the environment. They want to know how they might be harmful to health. You can read about microplastics on this webpage. What Are Microplastics? Plastic pollution has long been a concern in the environment, and

Quick Summary: Legionella is a type of bacteria. It can cause a serious lung infection called Legionnaire's Disease. The scientific name of that disease is Legionellosis. There are almost 60 different kinds of Legionella bacteria. The type called Legionella pneumophila is the one that makes the most people sick. Learn how to avoid Legionella on this webpage. What is Legionella? Legionella is a bacteria that can cause Legionellosis, also known as Legionnaires’ Disease (a serious lung infection). There are close to 60 species of the bacterial genus Legionella, and Legionella pneumophila is

Quick Summary The SFPUC provides water that is safe to drink. We don't own the plumbing in homes and other buildings, however some people might not like the taste of the water that comes out of their tap. They might worry that the plumbing is old. They might also want to keep certain chemicals, like chlorine, out of the water they drink. If this is the case, they can use a water treatment device. You can learn more about home water treatment on this webpage. Why Would I Need to Use a Point-Of-Use (Pou) Or Point-Of-Entry (Poe) Water Treatment Device? San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s