AGENDA ITEM
Public Utilities Commission
City and County of San Francisco
DEPARTMENT Financial Services AGENDA NO. 7
MEETING DATE May 23, 2023
APPROVAL:
COMMISSION
SECRETARY Donna Hood
Public Hearing: Adopt Proposed Sewer Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Project Manager: Matthew Freiberg
Summary of
Proposed
Commission
Action:
Public Hearing to consider and adopt a new three-year schedule of rates for sewer service in San Francisco, to take effect on or after 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 determined 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: Executive Summary
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) staff developed the proposed sewer rates in conformance with the requirements of the San Francisco Charter, at section 8B.125, and the California Constitution, at Article XIII-D (Proposition 218). The rates proposal is the result of a year-long process that involved policy review, economic analysis, and public outreach. This work has been guided by the governance of a project charter and overseen by a project steering committee that included the General Manager, the SFPUC Executive Team, and a staff working group from across the organization. As required by Charter Section 8B.125, the rate proposal was developed with the support of an independent rate consultant, who completed a cost-of-service analysis and rate design, consistent with the requirements of Proposition 218. The results of the study were also presented to the Rate Fairness Board. The findings of the study are summarized in the consultant’s report titled the 2023 SFPUC Water and Wastewater Rate Study (2023 Rate Study).
The 2023 Rate Study is comprised of three main components: a revenue requirement analysis, cost of service analysis, and rate design. After completing this rigorous process, and considering the recommendations of the independent rate consultant, SFPUC staff has determined rate increases are necessary to maintain revenue sufficiency and to meet operational goals. Over the next three years, Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) 2024 through FYE 2026, staff proposes to raise rates such that the average single family sewer bill increases by 10.3% annually, as referenced in Table 1.
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
Additionally, staff proposes the following rate design changes:
• Bifurcate the sewer charges into two components, one associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater and a second related to the collection and treatment of stormwater.
• Phase in the implementation of the stormwater charges over a seven-year period.
Table 1. Proposed Average Single Family Sewer Bill
Proposed Rates
Average
Percent
Increase
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Current
Rates
Effective
July 1, 2023
Effective
July 1, 2024
Effective
July 1, 2025
Wastewater
Fixed Charge $5.21 $4.85 $5.28 $5.76
Wastewater
Variable Charge $68.99 $73.05 $76.90 $80.87
Stormwater
Charge - $3.61 $7.84 $12.82
Sewer Bill $74.20 $81.51 $90.01 $99.45
% Increase 9.9% 10.4% 10.5% 10.3%
Notes: Assumes 4.8 CCF (centum (hundred) cubic feet or 748 gallons) monthly water usage and 90% flow factor. The percent increase shown in FYE 2024 reflects only the base bill rate adjustments, excluding the drought surcharge that has been applied to the current variable charge.
Due to changes in cost allocations to customer classes and rate components as part of the cost-of-service analysis and updates to the rate design, bill increases will not exactly match the changes in rate revenue requirements. Some customers will see higher than 9% increases, some will see lower depending on their water use and parcel characteristics.
Overview of 2023 Water and Wastewater Rate Study
As required by the City Charter, the SFPUC retains an independent rate consultant at least every five years to evaluate the cost of service of the retail water and sewer systems, and to recommend appropriate rate structures. The rate study is an engineering and financial exercise that explains the basis and rationale for the proposed rates, supported by a cost-of-service analysis, and provides an administrative record to satisfy the legal requirements of California’s Proposition 218 and the City Charter.
The previous rate study was completed in 2018 and supported rates for the four- year period from FY 2018-19 through FY 2021-22. The proposed rates for the next three years support the Wastewater Capital Improvement Plan, which includes major portions of the Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP) and continued Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
sewer main replacement.
The SFPUC selected the consulting team of McGovern McDonald Engineering and Raftelis Financial Consulting as the independent rate consultant through a competitive Request for Proposals process. Staff and the independent rate consultant have been working on the 2023 SFPUC Water and Wastewater Rate Study since summer 2022. Staff has coordinated internally with the Wastewater Enterprise leadership, Business Services, External Affairs, the General Manager’s Office, and the Rate Fairness Board to receive input on and management direction on a wide range of topics, including the impact of the drought and customer water conservation on the SFPUC’s finances, tiers, fixed/variable cost recovery, as well as analysis of customer affordability.
This report presents the outcome of the 2023 Rate Study, highlighting each major task and outcome. The 2023 Rate Study is the basis for proposed rate increases resulting in an 8.4% average annual increase, over the next three years, on the single family combined (water and sewer) residential monthly bill as noted in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Proposed Average Monthly Single Family Residential Combined Bill
Proposed Rates
Average
Percent
Increase
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Current
Rates
Effective
July 1, 2023
Effective
July 1, 2024
Effective
July 1, 2025
Water $62.14 $67.14 $70.52 $74.09
Sewer $74.20 $81.51 $90.01 $99.45
Combined $136.34 $148.64 $160.53 $173.53
% Increase 9.0% 8.0% 8.1% 8.4%
Note: Assumes 5/8” meter size and 4.8 CCF monthly water usage
Sewer Rate Change Rationale
The Wastewater Enterprise has construction underway on several major Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP) projects. This capital spending is projected to increase debt service costs 50% from $102.2M in FYE 2023 to $152.9M in FYE 2026. Debt service costs are projected to continue increasing throughout the next ten years as the SSIP progresses. In addition, gradual increases in operating expenses are also projected to follow long term inflationary growth of 3% annually. Capital costs are significant drivers of the need for the rate increase; for every new dollar generated by the combined rate increase, approximately 82% will cover wastewater capital needs, either the payment of debt service or revenue- funding of capital projects.
Historic Water Demand
Current wastewater revenues are predominantly generated from volumetric rates, consequently revenue generation has been heavily influenced by indoor water usage by customers. As can be seen in Figure 1
below, retail water use held
relatively constant following the conservation gains from the 2014 -2016 drought Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
with very little rebound in demand. Water use has subsided again with the current drought and changes in demand characteristics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with retail customers reducing their annual water use by 8.0% in 2023, compared to 2020. The revenues that would have been lost due to this level of conservation have been largely offset by drought surcharges that were authorized by the Commission in the prior rate approval.
As of March 2023, retail customers have increased water usage by 4.1%, on a 12- month rolling basis, from their low point in 2022, but past experience and uncertainty around future water sales projections require a prudent approach to be taken in forecasting future demand.
Projected Water Demand
SFPUC projects a near term slight increase in water demands as the City recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, over the longer-term, water use is projected to decline for a variety reasons: hardened water conservation customer behavior post-drought; replacement to more efficient water fixtures; better management of leaks; sensitivity to increasing water rates (price elasticity).
The shaded areas on Figure 1 illustrate the uncertainty in projected demand given the multiple unknowns that are being accounted for in projected water demand.
Wastewater customers are billed based on an assumed flow factor of 95% for multi-family residential customers and 90% for all others, representing the billable sanitary sewer units. While our financial plan was developed applying usage as shown in the dashed line plot of Figure 2, future water demands could possibly be higher or lower. If demands are higher than projected, SFPUC could implement lower rates than are recommended in this report. However, the financial plan accounts for the chance that water sales continue to decline. Our recommendations will allow the Wastewater Enterprise to continue to meet SFPUC’s financial obligation even with lower than projected water sales and corresponding lower than projected wastewater flows.
Figure 1. Historic and Projected Retail Water Sales (MGD (Million Gallons per Day))
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
Figure 2. Historic and Projected Billed Wastewater Volumes (MGD)
Independent Consultant – 2023 SFPUC Water and Wastewater Study
SFPUC staff has worked closely with the independent rate consultant to analyze the current revenues and revenue requirements of the Wastewater Enterprise, conducted a detailed review of the Enterprise’s cost of service, and reviewed the current rate design. The Rate Study’s recommended changes to sewer rates to:
• Provide sufficient revenues for the operations, maintenance, and repair of the enterprise, consistent with industry best practices; • Provide sufficient revenues to improve or maintain financial condition and bond ratings at or above levels equivalent to highly rated utilities of each enterprise;
• Conform to all SFPUC financial policies;
• Meet requirements and covenants under all bond indentures; and • Set rates based on cost of service and in compliance with State law.
The independent rate consultant has determined that rate increases are necessary to fund the projected operating and capital costs of the Enterprise. Detailed information on the projected revenue requirements, cost of service analysis, and rate design can be found in the 2023 Rate Study report, which is has been provided as an attachment to this report and which is available online at sfwater.org/rates .
Wastewater Enterprise Revenue Requirements
The 2023 Rate Study compared the forecasted revenues of the utility to its forecasted operating and capital needs. Included in this forecast are the Wastewater Enterprise’s Commission-approved FYE 2023 and FYE 2024 Budget, 10-Year Capital Plan, and 10-Year Financial Plan. This revenue requirement analysis determines if rates are adequate to cover the projected annual operating and capital expenditures while meeting the Enterprise financial obligations and SFPUC financial policies. This analysis concluded that revenues under existing rates would be insufficient to fund the Enterprise’s expected financial obligations.
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
If rates remained the same, the Enterprise would be unable to generate sufficient revenues to pay all projected costs and to meet debt service coverage and reserve targets. Holding rates at their current level would result in a failure to meet our debt service coverage target by FYE 2027 and the Enterprise fund balance will be completely exhausted by FYE 2026. Based on the 2023 Rate Study analysis, the SFPUC is proposing a three-year adjustment to sewer rates increasing Wastewater Enterprise revenues by 9% in FYE 2024, 9% in FYE 2025, and 9% in FYE 20261.
Cost of Service Analysis
The 2023 Rate Study updated the cost-of-service analysis for the Wastewater Enterprise. The cost-of-service analysis serves as a rational basis for distributing the full costs of SFPUC’s services to each customer class in proportion to the demands placed on the sewer system. The updated cost of service analysis includes:
• A detailed analysis of the allocation of costs to enterprise functions • Complete update of asset and capital project allocations • Revised and well-documented allocations of operating expenses to functions
• New allocations of stormwater and wastewater costs
Rate Design
Sewer rate design determines how the revenue requirements are recovered by each customer through specific sewer rates. The focus of this process is to achieve cost recovery and ensure that customers are paying their fair and proportionate share of system costs. This is achieved by calculating rates for each customer class based on the respective customer class system demands and the costs allocated to that class based on the cost-of-service analysis.
Current Rate Structure
The SFPUC’s existing sewer rate structure consists of a fixed and variable charge.
The fixed charge is a flat fee that is the same for all customers. The Variable charge based on assumed percentage of metered water usage discharged into the sewer system. Single and multi-family residential rates are based on a flat rate per discharge unit, calculated from the rate components assuming domestic strength sewage. Non-residential rates are based on volume, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and oil and grease (O/G), with rates calculated for different customer types based on either individual sampling or assumed loadings based on SIC code.
Proposed Rate Design Change
The Independent rate consultants have recommended the bifurcation of the current
1 Due to changes in cost allocations to customer classes and rate components as part of the cost-of- service analysis and updates to the rate design, bill increases will not exactly match the changes in rate revenue requirements. Some customers will see higher than 9% increases, some will see lower depending on their water use and parcel characteristics.
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
wastewater rate into two flow-based components: a sanitary sewer charge and a stormwater charge. The purpose of the bifurcation is to further assure that customers are paying their fair and proportionate share of the combined sewer system costs. This recommended rate design change is revenue neutral to the Wastewater enterprise. SFPUC staff agrees with this recommendation and proposes the following:
Stormwater Charge: Bifurcate the volumetric portion of the current wastewater rate into two separately calculated billing determinants: a wastewater charge and a stormwater charge. The wastewater charge determinant will maintain its existing structure and method of calculating a customer’s bill. The stormwater charge will be a monthly fixed charge on customer’s bills and is set to recover costs associated with the conveyance, storage, and treatment of stormwater flows, which amount to approximately 20% of the Wastewater Enterprise’s total expenses.
The Stormwater charge structure will have two options: a simplified residential charge and a standard charge. The simplified residential charge will be applied to residential customers with total parcel areas of under 6,000 square feet and six or fewer dwelling units. This charge will have three tiers based on a property’s net parcel area2. The standard charge will assess property owners based on the measured billable3 permeable and impermeable area on a per thousand square foot basis. For properties that have multiple SFPUC accounts, the bill amount will be split equally among all account holders.
If customers wish to appeal the amount of permeable and impermeable area used to calculate their bill, the SFPUC will be creating a stormwater data management system (SDMS) website, where customers can log their appeal and provide their evidence that the assessed areas used to calculate their bills are incorrect. Also, if account holders on a shared parcel wish to re-allocate the distribution of the charge, they can also record that request on the SDMS site.
As noted earlier, this proposed rate design change is revenue neutral to the Wastewater Enterprise. However, this change to how stormwater costs are recovered will impact customer’s bills with some decreasing and some increasing.
To smooth bill impacts from this change, especially for low-water users and large property owners who will see the largest bill impacts from the introduction of a fixed charge, staff proposes phasing in the fixed charge over a seven-year period.
Affordability
Ratepayer affordability is a policy priority of the Commission and is a part of the Ratepayer Assurance Policy. Staff have performed analyses and developed
2 Net parcel area is a parcels gross area as defined by the County Assessor’s Office less any “excluded” area.
Excluded areas are defined as any land area that does not drain to SFPUC’s combined sewer system. This can include areas that drain to lakes, the bay, the ocean, or a separate storm sewer system that does not drain to the City’s sewer system.
3 Similar to residential charges, any excluded areas will not be included with the billable areas used to calculate the stormwater charge.
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
recommendations for ways to support ratepayers who may be burdened by their utility bills. The SFPUC approved a level of service goal in 2012 to keep the average single family combined bill under 2.5% of the San Francisco median household income.
Using Census data, staff was able to identify and analyze the demographics of customers paying more than 2.5% of household income on their water and sewer bill. This analysis found that of the approximately 160,000 who directly pay their utility bills, approximately 17,000, or 11%, are “cost-burdened” with greater than
2.5% of their household income dedicated to their utility bill. These cost-burdened households are more likely to be families and women-led households, people of color, to be linguistically isolated (having no one over the age of 14 who speaks English well or very well), to be over 65, and/or to live in the southeast part of the city.
This analysis was used to inform changes to the existing Customer Assistance Program (CAP) in April 2023. In addition, staff are currently evaluating new affordability policies that take into consideration the bill impact of low-income customers as well as households earning the median income.
Rate Fairness Board
The proposed sewer rates have been presented to and discussed by the Rate Fairness Board (RFB) at eight public meetings over the past year, and more recently in more than 30 community outreach meetings to neighborhood groups, chambers of commerce, and environmental associations. The RFB’s presentation on the proposed rates is also being presented at this May 23rd Commission meeting.
Public Outreach and Education
The SFPUC Communications Team has been engaged in important communication, outreach, and education on the water and sewer rates proposal.
The Team has reached out to more than 400
organizations to describe SFPUC
services, why rate increases are needed, and what the impact will be on their monthly bill. Between February and May of 2023 we have offered stakeholder briefings to more than 30 organizations; invited more than 400 organizations and their members to attend three virtual town hall meetings; and launched a multi- lingual public marketing campaign that includes ads in four languages to educate the public about the rates proposal, invite them to the town hall meetings, and direct them to extensive information on a dedicated rates web page. We also created a one-stop shop web page with information about how customers can save on their bill which includes information on discount programs, grants, rebates, and incentives.
In addition, the team has engaged in multiple forms of communication to reach our ratepayers through the use of bill inserts, emails, physical flyers, social media, and targeted marketing using print, digital, and broadcast outlets. Special attention has been provided to BIPOC communities and people for whom English is a second language. This includes direct emails to 92,000 customers, geo-targeted Google ads, Facebook video ads, and ads with Univision, Sing Tao, and Fil-Am Radio.
Proposal to Adopt Wastewater Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026 Commission Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
Public Notice & Rate Adoption Process
In compliance with the notice requirements of California’s Proposition 218, the SFPUC issued the attached official notices to customers and property owners informing them of the proposed rate changes and their right to submit a written protest against the proposed rates. The notice also informed customers and property owners that if the SFPUC receives written protest from a majority of affected property owners and customers the proposed rate increases will not take effect.
Additionally, the notice informs customers that under California Government Code section 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for challenging any new, increased, or extended fee or charge.
Pursuant to Charter Section 16.112, a Notice of Public Hearing on the establishment of a 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, for a public hearing on May 23, 2023, with possible Commission action on this date. If approved by the Commission, these rates would take effect July 1, 2023, unless rejected by the Board of Supervisors, as provided in Charter section 8B.125.
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).
Results of
Inaction:
A delay or denial in approving this agenda item will result in no sewer rate changes for retail customers as of July 1, 2023 and will adversely impact the SFPUC’s ability to meet projected revenue requirements for the Wastewater Enterprise.
SFPUC will be required to either defer capital projects, which will negatively impact the Enterprise’s ability to continue to provide services to our customers or return to the Commission with an updated rate proposal that will need to be larger to account for the loss of revenue from delaying the implementation of rates.
Recommendation: SFPUC staff recommends that the Commission adopt the attached resolution.
Attachments: 1. Schedule of Retail Sewer Rates
2. 2023 SFPUC Water and Wastewater Rate Study
3. Prop 218 Notice to Customers
4. Notices of Public Hearing on Proposed Water and Sewer Rates
5. Protest Letters
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
RESOLUTION NO.:
WHEREAS, In accordance with Section 8B.125 of the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco , the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has retained an independent rate consultant, McGovern McDonald Engineering and Raftelis Financial Consulting, that prepared the report titled 2023 SFPUC Water and Wastewater Study (2023 Rate Study), which has been submitted to the Rate Fairness Board for its review and posted to the sfwater.org website; and
WHEREAS, The General Manager and staff have reviewed the independent consultant’s 2023 Rate Study, and have prepared a staff proposal , which has been submitted to the Rate Fairness Board for its review and posted to the sfwater.org website; and WHEREAS, The Rate Fairness Board has reviewed the findings and recommendations of the 2023 Rate Study and staff rate proposal, and presented its own report to this Commission on May 23, 2023, finding that revenues under existing rates will be insufficient to meet revenue requirements of the Wastewater Enterprise; and
WHEREAS, Based on the analysis set forth in the 2023 Rate Study, The General Manager finds that sewer service revenues under existing rates will be ins ufficient to meet revenue requirements of the Wastewater Enterprise as projected in the Wastewater Enterprise 10- Year Financial Plan, and recommends that sewer rates be increased by 9% in fiscal year ending 2024, 9% in fiscal year ending 2025, and 9% in fiscal year ending 2026; and WHEREAS, The SFPUC operates a combined sewer system that collects, treats, and disposes of both stormwater and sanitary wastewater, and proposes a change to the rate structure that accounts for the total contribution of each type of sewage from customers; and WHEREAS, As required by the
California Constitution, at Article XIII-D (Proposition 218), a notice of the proposed rate adjustments was sent to all ratepayers and property owners more than 45 days in advance of the Commission’s May 23, 2023 public hearing; and WHEREAS, Pursuant to Charter Section 16.112, a Notice of 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
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the published notice of the intention of the Public Utilities Commission to adopt revised Schedules of Se wer Rates and Charges to be charged for retail sewer service in San Francisco, the Commission held a public hearing on May 23, 2023, and members of the public were given an opportunity to comment on the revised Schedules of Wastewater Rates and Charges; and
WHEREAS, At the May 23, 2023 public hearing, the Commission considered protests against the proposed rates. The SFPUC received written protests against the proposed rates were presented by less than a majority of parcel owners and direct water services customer tenants; and
WHEREAS, This Commission hereby finds that adoption of this resolution will establish rates for the purpose of: m eeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits; purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials; meeting financial reserve needs and requirements, obtaining funds for capital projects necessary to maintain service within existing service areas; and obtaining funds necessary to m aintain such intra -city transfers as are authorized by the City’s Charter; 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 WHEREAS, Under Charter Section 8B.125, the Commission must set rates and charges, subject to rejection by the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of submission; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Commission hereby determines that projected revenues under existing wastewater rates, together with other revenues of the Wastewater Enterprise , will be insufficient to meet the revenue requirements of the Wastewater Enterprise as projected in the Wastewater Enterprise 10-Year Financial Plan, and that overall increases of sewer rate revenues by 9% in the fiscal year ending 2024, 9% in the fiscal year ending 2025 , and 9% in the fiscal year ending 2026 are therefore warranted; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, Th at the Commission hereby adopts the revised Schedules of Wastewater Rates attached to this Resolution and incorporated by reference as if set fort h here in full to apply to all retail Customers, as defined in the Schedule, which discharge to San Francisco’s Sewerage System, effective on or after July 1, 2023.
I hereby certify that the foregoing was adopted by the Public Utilities Commission at its meeting of May 23, 2023.
___________________________________
Secretary, Public Utilities Commission
SCHEDULES OF SEWER RATES
(Adopted May 23, 2023 by Commission Resolution No. XX-XXXX) Section 1 – Authority and General Purpose
This Schedule is adopted pursuant to Section 8B.125 of the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco for the purpose of establishing an orderly system for the imposition and collection of charges for the operating, maintenance, replacement, debt service and other costs incurred by the San Francisco Wastewater Enterprise in collecting, treating and disposing of sewage, including wastewater, stormwater, industrial wastes and other wastes.
Section 2 – Definitions
For the purpose of this Resolution, the following definitions shall apply unless the context specifically dictates otherwise.
“City”
The City and County of San Francisco
“COD”
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a quantitative measure of the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of carbonaceous materials in wastewater using a strong chemical oxidant such as chromic acid (H
2Cr2O7).
“Commission”
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
“Customer”
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, trust, or any other entity including, but not limited to, local, state and federal governments utilizing the services of the City’s wastewater collection and treatment system.
“Customer Charge”
The charge applied to Customers to recover the operations, maintenance, debt service and replacement costs incurred by the City to collect, treat, and dispose of Sewage, Stormwater, Industrial Wastes, and Other Wastes of the Customer. The Customer Charge includes administrative costs of the Wastewater Enterprise, SFPUC, and other appropriate City functions. “Customer Class”
Users with the same or similar usage characteristics are grouped into Customer Classes for purposes of cost allocation and rate setting.
“Discharge”
The Customer's metered water use multiplied by the Customer's applicable wastewater Flow Factor.
“Discharge Unit”
100 cubic feet of wastewater discharged to sewerage system. The quantity of wastewater shall be the amount metered, or, in the event quantity is not metered, shall be the metered water use multiplied by the wastewater Flow Factor.
“Domestic Wastes”
Water-carried human wastes from sanitary conveniences, including but not limited to toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and residential laundry facilities.
“Dwelling Unit”
As defined in San Francisco Planning Code Section 102.7, a room or suite of two or more rooms that is designed for, or is occupied by, one family doing its own cooking therein and having only one kitchen. For the purposes of this resolution, “Dwelling Unit” shall not include a lodging house, rooming house, motel or hotel, as defined in San Francisco Housing Code Section 410, or a live/work unit, as defined in Section 102.13 of the San Francisco Planning Code. “Excluded Area”
Parcels that do not contribute stormwater runoff to the SFPUC sewer system either due to their geographic characteristics or by being part of a separate stormwater system that drains to the bay, the ocean, or a lake rather than the SFPUC sewer system. Those parcels or the portions of the parcels that do not flow to the SFPUC sewer system will be excluded from the calculation of a parcel’s stormwater charge.
“Flow Factor”
The percentage of metered water use returned to sewers and the Sewerage System as wastewater.
For purposes of determining applicable charges, the percentage of water use returned to sewers is assumed to be 90% for single family Residential Users, 95% for multifamily Residential users and 90% for all other users. The General Manager may establish modified percentages by estimation or based on an inspection of the Residential User’s premises and water use.
Residential Users may appeal their assigned Flow Factor pursuant to procedures set forth in applicable department regulations.
“General Manager”
The General Manager of the Public Utilities Commission or his or her designee “Hydrocarbon Oil and Grease”
Hydrocarbon oil and grease (O/G) is the measurement of that fraction of recoverable oil and grease of petroleum origin using a test specified in 40 CFR Part 136. “Industrial Wastes”
Any solid, liquid, or gaseous wastes including cooling water resulting from any industrial, commercial or manufacturing process or from the development, recovery, or processing of natural resources.
"Impermeable Surfaces”
A surface that prevents the land’s natural ability to absorb and infiltrate rainfall or stormwater.
Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to; building or structures, roof tops, impervious concrete and asphalt, and any other continuous watertight pavement or covering. Landscaped soil and pervious pavement, including pavers with pervious openings and seams, underlain with pervious soil or pervious storage material, are not impermeable surfaces.
“Operations and Maintenance Costs”
Expenditures used for the collection, treatment and disposal of Sewage, Stormwater, Industrial Wastes and Other Wastes including, but not limited to, the costs of personnel, materials and supplies, energy and administration.
“Other Wastes”
All decayed wood, sawdust, shavings, bark, lime, refuse, ashes, garage, offal, oil, tar, chemicals, and all other substances except Sewage, Stormwater and Industrial Wastes. “Parcel”
A property recorded with the San Francisco Office of the Assessor-Recorder. Where multiple parcels occupy the same area of land (such as a condominium development), they are treated as a single parcel for purpose of calculating stormwater charges.
“Permeable Surface”
A surface that allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground. Examples include pasture, native vegetation areas, landscape areas, and permeable pavement.
“Residential Wastewater User”
The owner or customer of record of any single-family or multiple-family Dwelling Unit. “Sewage”
Water-carried human wastes or a combination of water-carried human or industrial wastes from residences, commercial buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, storm or other wastes that may be present. “Sewage System” or “Sewerage System”
The City’s wastewater system including all properties (real, personal and tangible or intangible) owned, operated, maintained by and under the jurisdiction of the Commission used for collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater, including all future additions, extensions, replacements and improvements to the system.
“Standard Industrial Classification” or “SIC”
A coding system established by the United States government to classify businesses and industries. SIC codes are assigned based on common characteristics shared in the products, services, production and delivery system of a business.
“Stormwater”
Surface water originating from rainfall collected in the sewerage system. “Total Suspended Solids”
The measurement of the amount of insoluble solids that either float on the surface of wastewater or are suspended in wastewater using a test specified in 40 CFR Part 136.
Section 3 – Unlawful Discharge
It shall be unlawful, except as herein provided, for any Customer to discharge Sewage, Stormwater, Industrial Wastes, or Other Wastes into the sewers or sewerage works of the City, unless such Customer shall pay the City its Customer Charge as hereinafter provided.
Section 4 – Customer Classification
a. Class Determination
Upon application for new service, each Customer shall be assigned to a Customer Class based on the City’s evaluation of the Customer’s waste discharge characteristics in accordance with the requirements of this resolution and applicable laws and regulations. Such Customer Class determination shall be based on the Customer’s description of its current operation and use of the collection, treatment and disposal facilities of the City. Such description shall be subject to verification by the City.
b. Change in Classification
Customers requiring or requesting a change in their classification shall do so in writing within 30 days of a change in operations.
c. Unmetered Service
In circumstances where a Customer’s discharge is not measured by metered water consumption, the General Manager is authorized to implement appropriate requirements and procedures for determining a Customer Charge consistent with the requirements of this resolution and applicable state and federal laws.
Section 5 – Enterprise Funds
Pursuant to Article V, Section 5.01 of the Indenture between the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Bank, NA, as trustee, all revenues of the Wastewater Enterprise shall be set aside and deposited into a fund in the City treasury (the Revenue Fund). All amounts paid into the Revenue Fund shall be maintained separate and apart from other City funds. Moneys in the Revenue Fund shall be appropriated and expended in accordance with the Indenture.
Section 6 – Billing Rates for Sewer Customer Charges
The following schedules of customer charges to be paid by all dischargers to the City’s Sewer System are hereby adopted and imposed.
Schedule A. Residential Wastewater
This schedule shall apply to Single Family and Multi-Family Residential wastewater customers.
The charges under this schedule are based upon the typical strengths for Domestic Wastes, as determined by the General Manager. All Residential wastewater users shall be charged on the basis of discharge units in accordance with the schedule of charges as follows:
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Current Effective July 1,
2023
Effective July 1,
2024
Effective July 1,
2025
Monthly Service Charge $5.21 $4.85 $5.28 $5.76
Volume per Discharge Unit1 $15.97 $16.91 $17.80 $18.72
1 Discharge Unit = 1 CCF of wastewater = 748 gallons
A discharge unit shall be based on the customer’s metered water use multiplied by the flow factor and represents the quantity of metered water use returned to the sewage system as wastewater. By default, residential single-family customers are assumed to have a flow factor of 90% and multi-family residential customers are assumed to have a flow factor of 95%.
Customers whose usage of water varies from typical patterns may apply for an adjusted flow factor.
Schedule B. Non-Residential Wastewater
Users other than Residential wastewater users charged under Schedule A of this Resolution (i.e.
Non-Residential), shall be charged the cost for each parameter according to the following:
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Current Effective
July 1, 2023
Effective July
1, 2024
Effective July
1, 2025
Monthly Service Charge $5.21 $4.85 $5.28 $5.76
Volume per Discharge Unit1 $9.46 $9.74 $10.09 $10.43
PLUS
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) per
Pound
$0.647 $0.861 $0.925 $0.994
PLUS
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) per Pound $1.647 $1.681 $1.808 $1.944 PLUS
Oil and Grease (O/G) per Pound
$1.661 $1.053 $1.142 $1.239
1 Discharge Unit = 1 CCF of wastewater = 748 gallons
A discharge unit shall be based on the customer’s metered water use multiplied by the flow factor and represents the quantity of metered water use returned to the sewage system as wastewater. By default, non-residential customers are assumed to have a flow factor of 90%.
Customers whose usage of water varies from typical patterns may apply for an adjusted flow factor.
Those users whose parameter loadings of COD, TSS, and O/G are not based on periodic sampling shall be charged on the basis of standard parameter loadings established by the General Manager for each SIC code in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and as summarized in the table below.
SIC Group SIC Group Description COD
(lb/Unit)
TSS
(lb/Unit)
O/G
(lb/Unit)
SIC Group 2 Hotel without Eating 1.2111 0.3496 0.1623
SIC Group 3 Nursing and Personal Care 3.9954 1.4920 0.3933 SIC Group 4 Domestic and General Uses 4.2701 1.7417 0.5306 SIC Group 5 Hotel with Eating 4.0016 1.3984 0.5369
SIC Group 6 Fish & Seafood 2.4721 0.3683 0.6243
SIC Group 7 Coin-Op Laundry 8.6588 1.0675 0.6992
SIC Group 8 Commercial and Power Laundry 9.6077 1.1299 0.7803 SIC Group 9 Sausage Manufacturing 10.0884 1.7730 0.8553 SIC Group 10 Restaurant/Kitchen, Default or with
Hydro-Mechanical Grease Interceptor 7.1979 1.8916 1.5669 SIC Group 11 Wholesale Bakery 30.7208 8.5589 3.4897
SIC Group 12
Restaurant/Kitchen with Automatic Grease
Removal Device or Gravity Grease
Interceptor
4.4636 1.8916 0.6243
Schedule C. Standard Stormwater
This schedule shall apply 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 6 dwelling units, and/or any other parcels which do not meet the eligibility criteria for Schedule D. 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. The designation of a parcel as non-residential or residential will be based on the presence of wastewater accounts billed under Schedules A and B, above.
Parcels meeting the criteria of the standard stormwater charge will be assessed on a per 1,000 square foot basis for all permeable and impermeable area on their property as follows:
Current Proposed
FYE
2023
FYE
2024
FYE
2025
FYE
2026
Current Effective
July 1, 2023
Effective
July 1, 2024
Effective
July 1, 2025
Stormwater Charge per month
Permeable Area per 1,000 square feet N/A $0.19 $0.41 $0.67 Impermeable Area per 1,000 square feet N/A $1.89 $4.11 $6.72 Permeable and impermeable areas are determined for each parcel using geospatial analysis.
Customers may submit evidence of their measured areas if they believe the data for their property should be modified.
In the event that multiple accounts share one Parcel, the charge will be calculated for the total parcel area and the shared equally by the number of accounts. The shares charged to each account may be adjusted with written agreement of all account holders on a Parcel.
Schedule D. Simplified Residential Stormwater
This schedule shall apply to Single Family and Multi-Family Residential wastewater customers with 6,000 square feet or less net parcel area and with 6 or fewer dwelling units as recorded in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s billing records. 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. The designation of a parcel as non-residential or residential will be based on the presence of wastewater accounts billed under Schedules A and B, above.
The charges under this schedule are based upon the average permeable and impermeable square footage of parcels within each tier group and the respective rate for parcel area as shown in Schedule C, as determined by the General Manager.
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Current Effective July
1, 2023
Effective July
1, 2024
Effective July
1, 2025
Stormwater Charge per month
Tier 1: 0 – 1,700 square feet parcel area N/A $2.31 $5.04 $8.24 Tier 2: 1,701 – 3,300 square feet parcel area N/A $3.60 $7.84 $12.82 Tier 3: 3,301 – 6,000 square feet parcel area N/A $5.41 $11.79 $19.27 In the event that multiple wastewater accounts share one Parcel, the charge will be calculated for the total parcel area and the shared equally by the number of accounts. The shares charged to each account may be adjusted with written agreement of all account holders on a Parcel.
Section 7 – Drought Surcharge
If the Commission, at a publicly noticed meeting, adopts a resolution declaring a stage of water delivery reduction in accordance with the Retail Water Shortage Allocation Plan (i.e., Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3), the following schedule of drought surcharges shall be applied to retail water rates as of the date of the Commission resolution or any effective date designated by the Commission. For residential customers, the surcharges shall be based on the assumption that the overall demand reduction is split evenly between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Each nonresidential customer shall incur the percent drought surcharge uniformly. The overall required surcharge is based on the final formula: surcharge ($ per ccf) = Wastewater Revenue Shortfall from reduced flow/ Reduced Wastewater Flow.
Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
Stage
Target Water Usage
Reduction
Drought Surcharge
on Volumetric
Wastewater Rates
Stages 1-3 5% Up to 5%
Stage 4 5 – 18% Up to 18%
Stages 5-6 18 – 32% Up to 32%
The drought surcharges shall remain in effect until the Commission, at a publicly noticed meeting, adopts a resolution rescinding the water delivery reduction.
Section 8 – Effective Date
The rates for FYE 2024 shall be effective for water meter readings made on or after July 1, 2023 or as soon thereafter as possible. The rates for FYE 2025 adopted pursuant to the resolution shall be effective for water meter readings made on or after July 1, 2024. The rates for FYE 2026 adopted pursuant to the resolution shall be effective for water meter readings made on or after July 1, 2025, and shall remain in effect until repealed, modified or superseded.
Proposed Water and Sewer Rates for Fiscal Years Ending 2024-2026 Every day, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) generates clean energy, delivers high-quality water to 2.7 million Bay Area customers, and protects the environment and public health by treating wastewater and stormwater for San Francisco residents and businesses. Our work is almost exclusively funded by the rates that customers pay. Our systems work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are a not-for-profit public utility whose rates reflect the true cost of operating, maintaining, and upgrading our water and sewer systems. To continue delivering the services that San Franciscans depend on, the SFPUC is proposing water and sewer rate increases, effective July 1, 2023.
Your Dollars at Work
Water and sewer systems are critical to public health. The SFPUC is committed to providing customers with safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and a combined sewer system that reduces flooding and protects the environment from pollution. These systems require ongoing maintenance and upgrades. Many parts of the SFPUC water system are nearly 100 years old, and the oldest parts of the sewer system date back to the Gold Rush. We need to continue to maintain and upgrade aging systems to prevent breaks, meet regulatory requirements, improve seismic safety, and adapt to storms as the climate changes. Your dollars pay for essential services and projects that protect public health.
Our Public Rate Setting Process
The SFPUC is committed to a transparent public rate setting process guided by the principles set forth in our Ratepayer Assurance Policy. As required by the San Francisco Charter, an independent rate consultant has completed a cost-of-service study. The rate study findings provide the basis for our rate proposal, which goes through an extensive public approval process. That process includes the Rate Fairness Board, comprising SFPUC customers and other appointees. The Rate Fairness Board holds public meetings and provides recommendations to ensure affordability, stability, and fairness.
Interested customers and other parties can provide comments on the proposed rates at the Rate Fairness Board and Commission hearings. To learn more about our rates package, rate setting process, and upcoming meetings, visit sfpuc.org/2023Rates .
Proposed Rates Schedule
The SFPUC is proposing to update the sewer rate structure and to update water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2023. The SFPUC’s combined sewer system treats both wastewater and stormwater runoff. The new rate structure would split the sewer portion of bills into two parts: a wastewater component and a stormwater component. This new structure would not change the total amount of revenue collected by the SFPUC, but it would more scientifically and equitably allocate the existing costs of managing wastewater to ratepayers. This new structure would be gradually phased in over seven years.
The proposed new rate schedule represents an average monthly bill increase of $12.69 each year for the average single-family residential household in San Francisco (about 8.3% per year).
The following sections describe these bill components for residential and non-residential customers.
Our website has examples of an average single-family monthly bill, as well as a bill calculator where you can develop personalized bill estimates. Visit sfpuc.org/2023Rates for the bill calculator and other useful information.
Bills contain two core elements: fixed charges that cover shared costs relevant to all customers and volumetric rates based on the amount of water used or wastewater produced.
Monthly Fixed Charges
Service charges are the same every month, regardless of water consumption.
Water service charges vary by meter size. Water service charges recover fixed costs, like customer service and billing, maintenance of water meters, and facilities used to provide water for fire protection that benefits all SFPUC customers.
Sewer service charges are the same for all sewer customers. Sewer service charges recover a portion of fixed costs associated with customer service and billing, which are the same for all SFPUC customers.
Stormwater service charges would 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) would be charged based on their total permeable and impermeable surface area. Permeable surfaces, like planters and lawns, can absorb water except in large storms. Impermeable surfaces, like driveways and roofs, direct more water to — and impose more costs on — the sewer system. Stormwater charges recover the cost of stormwater-specific infrastructure and the stormwater portion of the combined system.
Fire sprinkler service charges are for properties with fire sprinklers or standpipes. These charges are calculated to recover costs for customer service, billing, and maintenance specific to private fire meters.
Volumetric Rates: Residential Customers
Residential water rates are billed based on metered water usage and have two tiers. For single-family properties, the first four units of water per month are billed the first-tier rate, and any additional units are billed the second-tier rate. For multi-family residential properties, the first three units of water per dwelling unit per month are billed the first-tier rate, while any additional units of water are billed the second-tier rate. The second tier is a higher unit rate to reflect the additional costs needed to reliably serve high-volume users 24/7.
Residential wastewater rates are billed based on the estimated volume of water that returns to the sewer system. The default volume for single-family residences is 90% of water usage; the default for multi-family residences is 95% of water usage. All discharge units of wastewater are billed at the same rate.
Your Rates Pay For:
• 24/7 Operations
• Routine Maintenance and
Emergency Repairs
• Infrastructure Improvements
• Conveyance and Treatment
• Environmental Monitoring
• Watershed and
Land Management
• Community Programs
For further information, visit sfpuc.org/2023Rates.
Reference your most recent bill to obtain your meter
size and water use (per month).
Volumetric Water Rates (1 unit of water = 1 Ccf = 748 gallons) Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Single-Family Residential - Water per unit
First 4 units per month
(Tier 1) $9.60 $10.33 $10.85 $11.40
All additional units (Tier 2) $10.71 $11.47 $12.05 $12.66 Multi-Family Residential - Water per unit
First 3 units per dwelling
unit per month (Tier 1) $9.60 $10.19 $10.70 $11.24
All additional units (Tier 2) $10.76 $10.94 $11.49 $12.07 Non-Residential - Water per unit
For all units of water $10.55 $11.12 $11.68 $12.27
Untreated Water Service
For all units of water $0.95 $1.80 $1.89 $1.99
Proposed Fire Service Rates (Per Service)
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Monthly Private Fire Service Charge
1 in. $9.55 $8.43 $8.86 $9.31
1-1/2 in. $12.45 $8.91 $9.36 $9.83
2 in. $15.93 $9.73 $10.22 $10.74
3 in. $25.21 $12.70 $13.34 $14.01
4 in. $35.65 $17.82 $18.72 $19.66
6 in. $64.65 $36.19 $38.00 $39.90
8 in. $99.45 $67.88 $71.28 $74.85
10 in. $151.65 $115.55 $121.33 $127.40
12 in. $256.05 $181.62 $190.71 $200.25
Proposed Water Rates
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Monthly Service Charge - Water (based on meter size)
5/8 in. $15.17 $16.64 $17.48 $18.36
3/4 in. $19.43 $21.13 $22.19 $23.30
1 in. $27.95 $30.11 $31.62 $33.21
1-1/2 in. $49.25 $52.56 $55.19 $57.95
2 in. $74.81 $79.51 $83.49 $87.67
3 in. $142.97 $151.35 $158.92 $166.87
4 in. $219.65 $232.18 $243.79 $255.98
6 in. $432.65 $456.70 $479.54 $503.52
8 in. $688.25 $726.13 $762.44 $800.57
10 in. $1,071.65 $1,130.26 $1,186.78 $1,246.12
12 in. $1,838.45 $1,938.54 $2,035.47 $2,137.25
16 in. $3,201.65 $3,375.47 $3,544.25 $3,721.47
Proposed Stormwater Runoff Charge Rates
Monthly per
Assessor Parcel
Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Residential (6,000 sq. ft. and under/six dwelling units and under) Tier 1: 0-1,700 sq. ft. N/A $2.31 $5.04 $8.24
Tier 2: 1,701-3,300 sq. ft. N/A $3.60 $7.84 $12.82
Tier 3: 3,301-6,000 sq. ft. N/A $5.41 $11.79 $19.27
Non-Residential (All other customers)
$/1000 sq. ft. Permeable N/A $0.19 $0.41 $0.67
$/1000 sq. ft. Impermeable N/A $1.89 $4.11 $6.72
Proposed Wastewater Rates (1 unit of water = 1 Ccf = 748 gallons) Current Proposed
FYE 2023 FYE 2024 FYE 2025 FYE 2026
Monthly Service
Charge Wastewater $5.21 $4.85 $5.28 $5.76
Residential - Wastewater per unit discharged
For all discharge units $15.97 $16.91 $17.80 $18.72
Non-Residential - Wastewater per unit discharged
Volume per
discharge unit $9.46 $9.74 $10.09 $10.43
Chemical Oxygen
Demand per lb. $0.647 $0.861 $0.925 $0.994
Total Suspended
Solids per lb. $1.647 $1.681 $1.808 $1.944
Oil and Grease per lb. $1.661 $1.053 $1.142 $1.239
Periodically the SFPUC undertakes rate studies to ensure the rates customers are charged reflect the true cost of providing our services. Adjustments are then proposed to ensure all customers are treated fairly, uninterrupted services are provided, strict environmental regulations can be met, and the financial stability of our assets and systems are maintained long-term.
PRESORTED
SECOND-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
PERMIT NO. 4
525 Golden Gate Avenue, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
And Important Information Regarding Water and Sewer Rates Proposed for Fiscal Years Ending 2024-2026.
You have 120 days to challenge rate changes. Get more info at:
sfpuc.org/2023Rates or (415) 554-3289.
AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA
E información importante sobre las tarifas de agua y alcantarillado propuestas para los años fiscales que terminan 2024-2026. Tiene 120 días para Desafiar los cambios de tarifas.
Obtenga más información en: sfpuc.org/2023Rates o (415) 554-3289.
ABISO NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG
At Mahalagang Impormasyon Tungkol sa Mga Rate ng Tubig at Imburnal na Iminungkahing Para sa Mga Taon ng Piskal na Magtatapos sa 2024-2026. Mayroon kang 120 araw upang hamunin ang mga pagbabago sa rate. Kumuha ng higit pang impormasyon sa:
sfpuc.org/2023Rates o (415) 554-3289.
公聽會通知
有關 2024-2026 財政年度新擬議供水和污水處理費的重要信息。 您有 120 天的時間來質
疑新收費。 如需更多信息， 請上網：sfpuc.org/2023Rates 或 (415) 554-3289。 Volumetric Rates: Non-Residential Customers
Non-residential water rates are billed based on metered water usage. There are no tiers for non-residential customers.
Non-residential wastewater rates vary based on the volume of pollutants present in the discharge of various customer types. As a result, the rates shown in the table have four parts: a volumetric charge based on 90% of the customer’s billed water consumption and three strength charges based on the concentration of pollutants in a customer’s wastewater discharge. The concentrations are based on the type of business operated at the service address. Visit our website at sfpuc.org/2023Rates to look up the pounds of pollutants per unit of wastewater for your business type.
Temporary Drought Surcharge
A drought surcharge is a temporary charge that is levied only when the SFPUC Commission puts the SFPUC Water Shortage Contingency Plan into effect, requesting that customers reduce water usage. When implemented, the drought surcharge increases the volumetric water and wastewater rates for all customer types up to the percentages shown in the table on the right. These percentages are calculated to recover costs based on reduced billed volumes.
As an example, if the Commission declares a Stage 1 drought, asking customers to reduce water consumption by 5%, the SFPUC will analyze the forecasted reduced billed volumes and set a water and wastewater drought surcharge of up to 5%. For water, this 5% temporary surcharge would be applied to both tier rates for residential water customers and to the volumetric rate per unit for non-residential customers. For sewer, this surcharge would be applied to the volumetric rate per unit of wastewater discharge for residential and non-residential customers, as well as the rate per pound of pollutants for non- residential customers.
The SFPUC may set the percentage surcharge lower than shown on the table below to ensure that rates do not exceed the costs of providing water and wastewater services to customers.
Ways to Save
The SFPUC offers a variety of rebates, programs,
and incentives to help customers lower their bill.
Learn more at sfpuc.org/2023Rates or call
(415) 551-3000.
Water Shortage
Contingency Plan Stage
Target Water
Usage Reduction
Drought Surcharge on Volumetric
Water & Wastewater Rates
Stages 1 - 35%Up to 5%
Stage 45-18%Up to 18%
Stage 5 - 618-32%Up to 32%
S.F. Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Revised Hearing Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
San Francisco City Hall, Room 400
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
This is the second notice regarding these proposed water and sewer rates.
The meeting date for the rate hearing has been rescheduled to May 23, 2023, at 1:30 pm. No other changes have been made to the proposed rates.
In accordance with Article XIII D, Section 6, of the California Constitution (also known as Proposition 218), you have the right to submit a written protest against the proposed water and sewer rates. The proposed rate increases will not take effect if the SFPUC receives written protests from a majority of the affected property owners and customers.
Written protests must be mailed to the SFPUC Commission Secretary at the address below or hand delivered to the Commission Secretary at the May 23, 2023 Commission public hearing in order to be counted.
Protests may not be delivered electronically or verbally. Any written protest must: (1) state that the identified property owner or customer is in opposition to the proposed rates increase; (2) provide the location of the identified parcel (by assessor’s parcel number, street address, or customer account); and (3) include the name and signature of the person submitting the protest.
Although oral comments at the public hearing will not qualify as a formal protest unless accompanied by a written protest, the SFPUC welcomes input from the community during the public hearing on the proposed water and sewer rates. Only one protest may be registered per property.
Mail Protests to:
SFPUC Commission Secretary
525 Golden Gate Avenue, 13th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
We value your input.
If you have questions or would like more information, please visit sfpuc.org/2023Rates or email [email protected].
Under California Government Code section 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for challenging any new, increased, or extended fee or charge. This statute of limitations applies to the water and sewer service rates and charges proposed in this notice.
It also applies to future changes to water and sewer rates and charges.
Revised Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Water and Sewer Rates Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage PAID
San Francisco CA
Permit No. 925
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY, May 23, 2023 - 1:30 P.M.
City Hall, Room 400
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 1:30 PM City Hall, Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102, at a Regular Meeting of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission:
Public Hearing, discussion, and possible action to adopt the proposed water and sewer rates and charges for customers of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The resolutions to be presented at the hearing are (1) Proposal to Adopt Retail Water Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026; and (2) Proposal to Adopt Sewer Rates for FYE 2024 through FYE 2026. If approved, the new rates and charges would take effect July 1, 2023.
Copies of the agenda item and related files will be available 72 hours in advance of the May 23, 2023 meeting on the Commission’s websit e: https://sfpuc.org/about-us/boards- commissions-committees/sfpuc-commission/agendas-minutes-resolutions-log
Posted: April 10, 2023
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