SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 1 Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Willis Logsdon, Urban Watershed Planning Division
May 23, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer • Stormwater Credit Program Goals
• Overview of Stormwater Charge
• Proposed Stormwater Credit Program
• Standard Charge Customers
• Simplified Residential Charge Customers
• Program Requirements
• Next Steps
Presentation Outline
2 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer
1. Provide a reduction to the Stormwater Charge portion of the SFPUC sewer service bill for customers that manage stormwater on their property using green infrastructure
2. Align credit structure with costs of providing sewer services
3. Incentivize green infrastructure that provides benefits to the environment and to the SFPUC sewer system
4. Ensure the credit amount and level of effort for credit process is appropriate to the scale of green infrastructure projects and the customer type
Stormwater Credit Program Goals
3 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Stormwater Charge Components
Simplified Residential Charge
Most residential parcelsStandard Charge
Applicable to non-residential, mixed use,
vacant, and large residential parcels
Cost per area
Tier 3 flat rate
Tier 2 flat rate
Tier 1 flat rate
• Bifurcate current sewer rate into 2 components: wastewater charge and
stormwater charge
• Each customer pays their fair share for the combined sewer system C
ustomers will fall into one of two categories for the stormwater charge:
4 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Standard Charge: Stormwater Credit Structure
5 • Green Infrastructure collects
stormwater runoff from an impervious
surface, or Drainage Management Area
• Stormwater Credits will be based on the
total area draining to the green
infrastructure in relation to the total
parcel area
• Maximum credit of 90% off monthly
Stormwater Charge
DMA
DMA
Rain Gardens
50 feet
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 6 DMA
DMA
Rain Gardens
50 feet
Monthly Combined Bill
Assumptions: 25,300 sq ft DMA, 60% Stormwater Credit, 35 CCF of water use per month Standard Charge: Example Bill with Stormwater Credit
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 7 Green Infrastructure Grant Project
Bessie Carmichael Middle School
After
Before
Assumptions: 25,300 sq ft DMA, 60% Stormwater Credit, 35 CCF of water use per month Standard Charge: Example Bill with Stormwater Credit
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 8 Permeable Pavers
Photo: Seattle RainWise Program
Rainwater Harvesting
Rain Garden
• Residential Credits will be based on a flat
rate menu of credit options that are based
on average parcel characteristics
• Project drainage areas include:
• Roof area
• Ground-level surfaces (patio or
driveway)
• Projects eligible for credits may include:
• Rain gardens
• Rainwater harvesting cisterns
• Permeable pavement
Photo: San Francisco Resident
Simplified Residential Charge: Credit Structure
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Drainage
Management
Area
Simplified Residential Stormwater Charge Tiers Monthly Credit (% of
Stormwater
Charge)
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Impermeable DMA (sq ft)
Ground Level 100-200 200-400 300-600 15%
>200 >400 >600 25%
Roof 400-600 600-900 800-1,200 40%
>600 >900 >1,200 60%
• Thresholds vary between residential tiers to account for d
ifferences in property size and characteristics
• Credits based on average parcel within each t ier
• Maximum credit of 85% (combining two credit options)
Simplified Residential Charge: Credit Structure
9 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Example Tier 2 Residential Bill with Stormwater Credit
10 Rain Garden
DMA
25 feet
Assumptions: 700 sq ft DMA, 40% off Stormwater Charge, 4.8 CCF of water use per month SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 11 Example Tier 2 Residential Bill with Stormwater Credit
Assumptions: 700 sq ft DMA, 40% off Stormwater Charge, 4.8 CCF of water use per month
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Eligibility:
• SFPUC customers that have installed and continued to maintain green infrastructure that meets SFPUC design performance requirements Maintenance and Validation:
• Customers submit annual self-certification of maintenance performance
• SFPUC inspects green infrastructure function
Expiration and Removal of Credits:
• Stormwater Credits will expire if:
• Customer does not submit annual self-certification
• Green infrastructure no longer in good working condition Program Requirements
12 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Coordination with Existing Programs
13 • Projects built to date through SFPUC stormwater programs will be automatically enrolled in the Stormwater Credit Program on July 1, 2023 • Annual self-certifications and SFPUC inspections will be integrated with existing programs
• SFPUC technical assistance available to support customers Green Infrastructure Grant Program Stormwater Management Ordinance Pilot Residential Grant Program SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer Next Steps
14 • Launch Stormwater Charge and Credits on July 1, 2023 • Launch Residential Grant Program pilot
• Continue targeted outreach for Green Infrastructure Grant Program SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION | Water Power Sewer 15 Thank you!
DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Enterprise
AGENDA NO.
8 MEETING DATE May 23, 2023
APPROVAL:
COMMISSION
SECRETARY
Donna Hood
AGENDA ITEM
Public Utilities Commission
City and County of San Francisco
Authorize Staff To Adjust Stormwater Charge Portion of Sewer Bill in accordance with Proposed Rules and Regulations; and Public Hearing To Adopt Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations: Regular Calendar
Project Manager: Willis Logsdon
Summary of
Proposed
Commission Action:
Authorize staff to adjust the stormwater charge portion of the sewer bill in accordance with proposed Rules and Regulations; and public hearing to consider and possible action to adopt Rules and Regulations for the Stormwater Credit Program, in conformance with the requirements of Charter Section 4.104, effective July 1, 2023 .This action constitutes the Approval Action for the Project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA), pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).
The Planning
Department has determi ned that this action is exempt from the CEQA. If the item is approved, the Commission will rely on that determination to make its decision.
Background: Summary of Stormwater Credit Program
In 2014, the General Manager formed a Stormwater Charge Working Group (Working Group) to develop a stormwater charge rate structure and implementation plan
for the San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission (SFPUC).
With the Working Group’s guidance, t he sewer rat es for fiscal year end (FYE) 2024 through FYE 2026 include an update to the sewer rate structure with a wastewater charge component and a stormwater charge component.
The Working Group also established goals for a stormwater credit program, researched sim ilar programs throughout North America, evaluated various alternative approaches to calculating stormwater credits, and, most recently, developed proposed Rules and Regulations for a Stormwater Credit Program to complement the stormwater charge.
The Stormw ater Credit Program and the proposed Rules and Regulations complement the updated sewer rate structure by enabling eligible customers who manage stormwater on their property using Agenda Item: Approve Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Commission Meeting Date: May 23,2023
green infrastructure to apply for and receive a reduction to the stormwater charge component of the SFPUC sewer service bill if certain requirements are satisfied . Green infrastructure is a set of stormwater management tools that protects and enhances the function of the City and County of San Francisco’s combined sewer system by reducing the volume and rate of stormwater run-off into the system The Stormwater Credit Program and the proposed Rules and Regulations are designed to reflect the benefit that green infrastructure has for the sewer system and to more accurately calculate stormwater charges for SFPUC rate payers.
Stormwater Credit Calculation
The proposed Rules and Regulations specify that the stormwater charge will be assessed on a three- tiered structure for residential customers, based on the total assessor’s parcel size, with smaller parcels being charged a lower rate that gradually increases for larger parcels. Non-residential, mixed-use, and large residential parcels (over 6,000 square feet or with more than six dwelling units) will be charged based on their total permeable and impermeable surface area.
The Stormwater Credit will be based on the area of a customer’s property that contributes stormwater to green infrastructure facilities.
The proposed S tormwater Credit calculation aligns with the updated sewer rate structure.
Standard Rate Credit
For non-residential, mixed -use, and large residential customers that have installed green infrastructure , the s tormwater credit is calculated using the current SFPUC approved stormwater charge rates for both impermeable and permeable area within the green infrastructure’s drainage area.
Simplified Residential Credit
Residential customers that have installed green infrastructure will be eligible for a flat credit, based upon the size of the drainage area and average property characteristics of the customer’s residential stormwater charge tier. SFPUC will calculate the total amount of the credit that will appear on the customer’s monthly utility bill as a percentage discount off of the s tormwater charge, according to the table below.
Agenda Item: Approve Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Commission Meeting Date: May 23,2023
Drainage
Management
Area (DMA)
Simplified Residential
Stormwater Rate Tiers
Monthly
Credit
(% of
Stormwater
Charge)
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Impermeable DMA (sq ft)
Ground Level 100-200 200-400 300-600 15%
>200 >400 >600 25%
Roof 400-600 600-900 800-1,200 40%
>600 >900 >1,200 60%
Program Requirements
To proposed Rules and Regulations specify that to receive a Stormwater Credit, a customer must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Have an active account and receive a sewer bill from the SFPUC with a stormwater charge component.
• Have installed and continued to maintain green infrastructure that meets the performance requirements of the Stormwater Credit Program.
Customers must continue to maintain their green infrastructure to continue receiving a Stormwater C redit. Annual s elf-certification of project maintenance is required, and all enrolled projects are subject to inspection by SFPUC staff . Credits will expire if a customer fails to submit their annual self -certification or if the project is no longer maintained.
Green infrastru cture projects that have been installed through an SFPUC-operated stormwater program will be automatically enrolled , and the associated program’s maintenance, inspection, and verification process may also serve as verification for the Stormwater Credit. Examples of SFPUC -operated stormwater programs include but are not limited to the Stormwater Management Ordinance and Green Infrastructure Grant Program.
Public Notice
Notice of Public Hearing on the proposal to adopt Rules and Regulations for the Stormwater Credit Program was published in the official newspaper on May 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10, 2023 and posted on the SFPUC website and at the S an Francisco Public Library, for a public hearing on May 23, 2023 , with possible Commission action on this date.
Budget & Costs: The Stormwater Credit Program will be staffed using existing resources.
Schedule: Upon approval of the attached resolution, t he Stormwater Credit Agenda Item: Approve Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Commission Meeting Date: May 23,2023
Program Rules and Regulations will become effective on July 1, 2023 and, at that time, SFPUC staff will be authorized to adjust the stormwater charge portion of the sewer bill in accordance with those Rules and Regulations.
Environmental
Review:
On May 8, 2023, the San Francisco Planning Department determined the Project to be statutorily exempt from environmental review under the CEQA section 21080(b)(8) and the CEQA Guidelines section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges) (Case No. 2023- 004066ENV), related to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, or other charges. The exemption determination can be found here:
https://sfpuc.sharefile.com/d-scf9d27e30321428a947c1215c95166ea
This action constitutes the Approval Action for the Project for the purposes of the CEQA, pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).
This Commission will only approve this action if the Commission first adopts the new three- year sch edule of rates for sewer service in San Francisco, to take effect on or after July 1, 2023, for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026.
Attachment(s): 1. Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
RESOLUTION NO.
WHE
REAS, By Section 8B.125 of the San Francisco Charter, the people of the City and County of San Francisco authorized the SFPUC to set rates, fees, and other charges for water, power, and sewer services; and
WHEREAS, The sewer rates for fiscal year end 2024-26 include an update to the sewer rate structure, with a wastewater charge component and a stormwater charge component; and WHEREAS, Green infrastructure is a set of stormwater management tools that protects and enhances the function of the City and County of San Francisco’s combined sewer system by reducing the volume and rate of stormwater run-off into the system; and WHEREAS, SFPUC staff recommends providing a reduction to the s tormwater charge portion of the SFPUC sewer bill for eligible customers who manage stormwater on their property using green infrastructure, where the reduction reflects the reduced volume and rate of stormwater contributed into the sewer system; and
WHEREAS, The proposed Rules and Regulations specify the key components of the Stormwater Credit Program, including but not limited to eligibility criteria, green infrastructure design performance requirements, and stormwater credit calculation methodology; and WHEREAS, On May 8, 2023, the San Francisco Planning Department determined the Project to be statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 21080(b)(8) and the CEQA Guidelines section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges) ( Case No. 2023-004066ENV), related to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, or other charges; and WHE
REAS, Pursuant to Charter Section 4.104, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposal to adopt a new schedule of rates was published in the official newspaper on April 12, 13, 14, 16, and 19, 2023, and posted on the SFPUC website and at the San Francisco Public Library, as required, for a public hearing on May 23, 2023; and
WH
EREAS, Pursuant to Charter Section 4.104, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposal to adopt Rules and Regulations for the Stormwater Credit Program was published in the official newspaper on May 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10, 2023 and posted on the SFPUC website and at the San Francisco Public Library, for a public hearing on May 23, 2023; and WHEREAS, A copy of the proposed Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations is on file with the Commission Secretary and was presented to the Commission at its May 23, 2022 meeting; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, T hat t his Commission hereby adopts the Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations as set forth in the attachment to this Resolution, effective July 1, 2023, in conformance with the requirements of Charter Section 4.104; and be it FU
RTHER RESOLVED, That this Commission hereby authorizes staff to adjust the stormwater charge portion of the SFPUC sewer bill in accordance with the Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Public Utilities Commission at its meeting of May 23, 2023.
Secretary, Public Utilities Commission
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Rules and Regulations
Implementing the
Stormwater Credit Program
London N. Breed, Mayor
COMMISSIONERS
Newsha K. Ajami, President
Sophie Maxwell, Vice President
Timothy Paulson
Anthony Rivera
Kate H. Stacy
Adopted: May 23, 2023, by Commission Resolution No. [XXXXXX] Effective: July 1, 2023
City and County of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations i Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
THE STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM
The purpose of the Stormwater Credit Program is to provide a reduction to the Stormwater Charge portion of the SFPUC sewer service bill for Customers who manage stormwater on their property using green infrastructure. The SFPUC intends by this Program to fairly allocate the costs of providing sewer services and to provide a direct, positive incentive for Customers to reduce stormwater flowing to the SFPUC sewer system. Such reduction provides benefits to the environment and to the SFPUC sewer system.
AUTHORITY FOR AND PURPOSE OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS By Section 8B.125 of the San Francisco Charter, the people of the City and County of San Francisco authorized the SFPUC to set rates for water, power, and wastewater service.
The SFPUC has adopted these Rules and Regulations, as may be amended, to provide rules for Customers’ participation in the Stormwater Credit Program.
City and County of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations ii Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... ii RULE 1.0 - DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................................1 RULE 2.0 – GENERAL STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM INFORMATION ...............................................3
2.1 PARTICIPATION GENERALLY......................................................................................................... 3
2.2 CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY ........................................................................................................ 3
2.3 RULES AND REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................... 3
2.4 TERMINATION AND LIMITATION OF SFPUC LIABLITY ................................................................. 3 RULE 3.0 STORMWATER CREDIT CALCULATION ...............................................................................4
3.1 STANDARD STORMWATER CREDIT .............................................................................................. 4
3.2 SIMPLIFIED RESIDENTIAL STORMWATER CREDIT ....................................................................... 4 RULE 4.0 – STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................6
4.1 ELIGIBILITY .................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 APPLICATION PROCESS ................................................................................................................ 6
4.3 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ......................................... 6
4.4 MONITORING ............................................................................................................................... 7
4.5 ACCOUNT AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP CHANGE....................................................................... 7
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 1 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
RULE 1.0 - DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise expressly stated and defined in a separate Rule, the following terms in bold font shall, for the purpose of these Regulations, have the meaning indicated following the colon (:).
Applicant: A Customer or representative for the Customer who may submit or has submitted an Application for the Stormwater Credit Program.
Application: A set of documents and information reporting on the Green Infrastructure constructed on an a Customer’s property.
Customer: Anyone who receives a SFPUC sewer service bill.
Drainage Management Area or DMA: A discrete area that drains to a single green infrastructure facility, to a series of hydraulically-connected green infrastructure facilities, or directly to the sewer system. A green infrastructure facility is sized to accommodate runoff from its associated DMA for selected design storm.
Green Infrastructure or GI: Performance-based, sustainable stormwater management tools mimicking natural processes to slow down, clean, and retain stormwater.
Examples of green infrastructure facility types include bioretention, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting systems, and vegetated roofs. Additional green infrastructure facility types can be found in Appendix A of the SFPUC Stormwater Management Requirement and Design Guidelines.
Impermeable area: A surface that prevents the land’s natural ability to absorb and infiltrate rainfall or stormwater. Impermeable areas include, but are not limited to; building or structures, roof tops, impervious concrete and asphalt, and any other continuous watertight pavement or covering.
Net Parcel Area: Net parcel area is the gross parcel area recorded with the San Francisco Assessor’s Office less any excluded area that does not drain to the SFPUC combined sewer system.
Participant: A Customer whose Application SFPUC has approved for participation in the Stormwater Credit Program.
Permeable area: A surface that allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground.
Examples include pasture, native vegetation areas, landscape areas, and permeable pavement.
Rules: These Rules and Regulations.
Simplified Residential Stormwater Credit: Stormwater Credit given to Participants in the Simplified Residential Rate Customer class.
Simplified Residential Rate: A schedule of the Stormwater Charge, applied to Single Family and Multi-Family Residential wastewater customers with 6,000 square feet or less net parcel area and with six or fewer dwelling units as recorded in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s billing records. The designation of a parcel as non-
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 2 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
residential or residential will be based on the presence of wastewater accounts billed under residential and non-residential schedules for sewer service charges. The charges under this schedule are based upon the average permeable and impermeable square footage of parcels within each of the following tier groups and the respective rate for parcel area in the current SFPUC Rate Resolution, as determined by the General Manager:
Tier 1 0-1,700 square feet, Tier 2 1,701-3,300 square feet, Tier 3 3,301-6,000 square feet.
Standard Rate: A schedule of the Stormwater Charge applied to all non-residential parcels, mixed use parcels, lots without wastewater service, residential parcels greater than 6,000 square feet of net parcel area and/or having more than six dwelling units, and/or any other parcels which do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Simplified Residential Rate. The designation of a parcel as non-residential or residential will be based on the presence of wastewater accounts billed under residential and non- residential schedules for sewer service charges. Parcels meeting the criteria of the Standard Rate will be assessed Stormwater Charges on a per 1,000 square foot basis for all permeable and impermeable area on their property using the respective rates in the current SFPUC Rate Resolution, as determined by the General Manager.
Standard Stormwater Credit: Stormwater Credit given to Participants in the Standard Rate Customer class.
Stormwater Charge: A portion of a Customer’s wastewater bill, calculated according to the Customer’s property characteristics and the current SFPUC Rate Resolution.
Stormwater Credit: A reduction in the Stormwater Charge given to Participants for slowing down or reducing stormwater runoff from their property with Green Infrastructure.
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 3 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
RULE 2.0 – GENERAL STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM INFORMATION The following Stormwater Credit Program information is applicable to all program sections:
2.1 PARTICIPATION GENERALLY
A Customer may be eligible to participate in the Stormwater Credit Program if the Customer maintains approved Green Infrastructure on the Customer’s property. Eligibility and continued participation in the Stormwater Credit Program is subject to the sole discretion of the SFPUC, to be determined and implemented by the SFPUC as provided in these Rules and Regulations.
2.2 CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY
The Customer is solely responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Green Infrastructure and must maintain such Green Infrastructure in good working condition to maintain eligibility and participation in the Stormwater Credit Program.
2.3 RULES AND REGULATIONS
Submission of an Application or transfer of a Stormwater Credit constitutes an Applicant’s and/or Participant’s acknowledgment and agreement that they shall comply with these Rules and Regulations as may be amended during the duration of the Stormwater Credit Program.
2.4 TERMINATION AND LIMITATION OF SFPUC LIABLITY
SFPUC may, in its sole discretion and authority, terminate a Participant’s participation in the Program upon written notice to the Participant.
SFPUC may, in its sole discretion and authority, terminate the Stormwater Credit Program upon written notice to all Participants.
SFPUC shall bear no responsibility or liability for the cost, expense, operation, maintenance, or repair of a Participant’s Green Infrastructure. SFPUC shall likewise bear no responsibility or liability for delay in accepting an Application, rejection of an Application, or termination of the Program.
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 4 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
RULE 3.0 STORMWATER CREDIT CALCULATION
Both Standard Rate and Simplified Residential Rate Customers are eligible to receive a Stormwater Credit. Different credit calculations are used for each Customer class, acknowledging the different rate calculation methods used.
3.1 STANDARD STORMWATER CREDIT
For Standard Rate Participants, the Stormwater Credit is based on the area of the property that contributes stormwater to the installed Green Infrastructure facility. This contributing area is also known as the Drainage Management Area (DMA). The Stormwater Credit for a DMA is calculated using the current SFPUC approved sewer services rates for both impermeable and permeable area within the DMA using the Standard Credit Formula below. The DMA may include areas located inside or outside of a property boundary associated with an active sewer services account. The SFPUC will calculate the total amount of the credit that will appear on the Participant’s monthly utility bill as a percentage discount off of the Stormwater Charge portion of the sewer service charge bill.
Standard Rate Participants may receive credit for up to 90% of their total Stormwater Charge.
The 90% credit maximum was selected to recover a portion of the fixed costs for managing stormwater and to align with the design performance requirement of capturing the 90 th
percentile design storm. Setting the maximum at 90% recognizes that runoff from 10% of storms on historical record are expected to exceed the capacity of Green Infrastructure that is built to the program’s design guidelines.
Standard Credit Formula:
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐴𝐴𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = �𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼 � $
1,000𝑓𝑓
𝐶𝐶2�� �𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑚𝑚𝐼𝐼 𝑚𝑚𝐼𝐼 𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐼 𝑏𝑏 𝐺𝐺 𝐼𝐼 [𝑓𝑓 𝐶𝐶2]�
𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐴𝐴𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = �𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼 � $
1,000
𝑓𝑓
𝐶𝐶2�� �𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑚𝑚𝐼𝐼 𝑚𝑚𝐼𝐼 𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐼 𝑏𝑏 𝐺𝐺 𝐼𝐼 [𝑓𝑓 𝐶𝐶2]�
𝑆𝑆𝐶𝐶𝑆𝑆𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝑆𝑆𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐴𝐴𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐴𝐴𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
3.2 S IMPLIFIED RESIDENTIAL STORMWATER CREDIT
Participants subject to the Simplified Residential Stormwater Rate are credited at a flat rate based on minimum DMA thresholds for each of the three tiers under the Simplified Residential Rate for stormwater charges. Only impermeable areas that drain to performance-based Green Infrastructure are eligible for the Simplified Residential Stormwater Credit. The ground-level and roof DMAs shown in Table 1 have different thresholds for flat rate credits to reflect the varying levels of effort and complexity needed to construct GI to collect stormwater from different drainage area types. Ground-level DMA includes: concrete, asphalt, hardscape patios, and driveways. Customers that meet the threshold requirements for more than one collection area may receive up to two credits, one ground-level DMA credit and one roof DMA credit.
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 5 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
Simplified Residential Participants may receive credit for up to 85% of their monthly Stormwater Charge. The 85% credit maximum is the product of combining the two largest residential credit options, which were designed to provide meaningful credit for meaningful stormwater performance while still being achievable for the majority of Customers in each residential tier.
The Simplified Residential Stormwater Credits are calculated using the average property characteristics for each of the tiers under the Simplified Residential Rate currently in effect. For each flat rate credit, the average DMA within each threshold range is multiplied by the current impermeable area charge for stormwater, and divided by the current flat charge for each residential tier, resulting in a percentage discount off the monthly Stormwater Charge.
Simplified Residential Credit Example:
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐴𝐴 𝑇𝑇
ℎ𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑟𝑟ℎ𝑆𝑆𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 = 400 𝐶𝐶
𝑆𝑆 600
𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑚𝑚
𝐼𝐼 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐴𝐴 = 400 𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2 + 600 𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2
2 = 500 𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2
𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑉𝑉𝐼𝐼 = 500 𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2 × 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼 𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼 � $ 1,000 𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶2�
𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼
𝑚𝑚𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝑅𝑅𝑆𝑆𝑉𝑉𝑚𝑚𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 % 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓 𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼
𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
𝑉𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑉𝑉𝐼𝐼 (
$)
𝑆𝑆𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝐶𝐶𝑓𝑓𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 𝑅𝑅𝐼𝐼
𝑟𝑟𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝑚𝑚𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑆𝑆𝐶𝐶𝑆𝑆𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑆𝑆𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑅𝑅𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐼 (
$)
Table 1 lists the credits available to Simplified Residential Rate Customers as of July 1st, 2023.
Table 1: Simplified Residential Rate DMA Thresholds and Credits Drainage
Management
Area
Simplified Residential Stormwater Rate Tiers Monthly Credit (% of Stormwater
Charge)
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Impermeable DMA Thresholds (sq ft)
Ground Level
100-200 200-400 300-600 15%
>200 >400 >600 25%
Roof
400-600 600-900 800-1,200 40%
>600 >900 >1,200 60%
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 6 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
RULE 4.0 – STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
4.1 ELIGIBILITY
To receive a Stormwater Credit, an Applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Have an active account and receive a sewer services bill from the SFPUC. • Have installed and continued to maintain GI that meets the design performance requirements of the Stormwater Credit Program, as outlined below.
4.2 APPLICATION PROCESS
A Customer must submit an Application to receive a Stormwater Credit. An Applicant may submit a Stormwater Credit Application on behalf of an account holding Customer. Applicants will be required to provide contact information and information on the GI facility, including dimensions, drainage areas, photographs, and site plans. SFPUC will accept Applications through its web-based Application, as well as paper Applications. All Application forms and credit information will be available in multiple languages.
The Stormwater Credit can be applied to the SFPUC account associated with the operation of the GI or to another eligible SFPUC account identified by the Applicant. For parcels with multiple Customer accounts, Stormwater Credits will by default be allocated equally across all accounts on the parcel. Applicants may also request an allocation of the Stormwater Credit across accounts that differs from the default by submitting an agreement signed by all account holders on the parcel.
Within 30 days of receiving an Application, SFPUC will notify Applicants of their approval or denial for the credit and will provide the reason for denial as applicable. Applicants who submit incomplete Applications or whose facility does not meet the design performance requirement will be denied. Applicants approved for a credit become Participants and will receive the credit beginning on the first full billing cycle after their Application is approved.
4.3 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for a Stormwater Credit, an Applicant must have installed GI that conforms to the standards of SFPUC Stormwater Management Requirement and Design Guidelines (S MR) and meet the minimum design performance requirement of capturing all stormwater runoff from the 90th percentile storm, equivalent to 0.75-inches of rain over the DMA. The design performance standard can be demonstrated by the Applicant by submitting results from SFPUC stormwater performance calculators, including those provided by the SFPUC SMR o r Green Infrastructure Grant Program. Traditional landscaping areas that are not de signed to capture stormwater from the 90th percentile storm are not eligible for Stormwater Credits.
Standard Rate Applicants mu st capture stormwater using GI from a minimum DMA of 1,000 ft2.
Simplified Residential Rate Applicants must capture stormwater using GI from the applicable minimum DMA thresholds outlined in Table 1 above.
Stormwater Credit Program Rules and Regulations Page 7 of 7 Adopted: May 23, 2023 Effective: July 1, 2023
4.4 MONITORING
All Participants shall cooperate fully with the SFPUC in monitoring and compliance activities regarding the Stormwater Credit.
To remain eligible for a Stormwater Credit, the Customer’s GI must continue to provide effective stormwater management and be operated and maintained in good working condition.
Beginning in 2024, the Stormwater Credit will expire if the Participant does not submit an annual self-certification by October 15th or if at anytime the GI is no longer in good working condition. The annual self-certification shall document the performance of required maintenance and the continued functionality of the GI.
During a Participant’s enrollment in the Stormwater Credit Program, SFPUC staff may inspect the GI facilities at reasonable times to be arranged in advance to certify a Participant’s eligibility for continued Stormwater Credits.
For GI projects that have been installed through an SFPUC-operated stormwater program, the associated program’s maintenance, inspection, and verification process may also serve as verification for the Stormwater Credit. Examples of SFPUC-operated stormwater programs include to the Stormwater Management Ordinance and Green Infrastructure Grant Programs.
4.5 ACCOUNT AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP CHANGE
If a Participant changes property ownership status or closes their SFPUC account associated with the Stormwater Credit, the Stormwater Credit will carryover to the new Customer account associated with the location of the GI. The new Customer account(s) will be considered a Participant(s), subject to the Rules. If there are multiple accounts, the new account holders will be assumed to take the same proportion of the Stormwater Credit as established by the prior Participant. If Participants wish to modify the credit allocation, the Participant will be required to submit a new Application to the SFPUC.