Opinion

Ballot measure on S.F. water supply unnecessary HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR Don't pull the plug: S.F. has other options

A petition is circulating to place a measure on the November ballot encouraging San Francisco to develop a sustainable water supply but the hidden intent of this measure is to drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir - a pristine source of water and clean hydropower for millions of people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Franciscans know that true water sustainability starts by maximizing water conservation and efficient water use, not by destroying and then building costly new facilities as the measure advocates.

Let's not forget that San Franciscans already use half as much water per person as the statewide average. Yet we are focused on aggressive water conservation efforts, from offering free water-saving devices and efficiency audits to incentives and education. We've also passed ordinances and changed building codes to support our conservation goals. Together, these efforts will save San Francisco nearly 23 million gallons of water a day by 2035.

We are working to add to the local water supply. Today, residents and businesses in the Hetch Hetchy System - San Francisco, San Mateo and parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties - use on average 40 million gallons of groundwater daily. That will increase to 45 million gallons by 2035.

We are helping residents use gray water - water from showers, bath tubs, washing machines and bathroom sinks - as well as store rainwater to irrigate gardens and lawns. These programs protect our tap water for drinking, promote wise water re-use and reduce the burden on our sewer system.

Since 2004, we have been working with Daly City to bring recycled water to irrigate the Olympic Club, Lake Merced and the San Francisco golf courses. This June, we will use recycled water to irrigate Harding Park Golf Course. Customers of Hetch Hetchy water already use 6 million gallons of recycled water per day. By 2035, it will be 21 million gallons.

We are already investing $4.6 billion from voter-approved upgrades to the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power system. Yet, in our arid California climate, all these measures combined will not take away the need to store water in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The best-case scenarios of those working to tear down the dam show that the Bay Area would be subject to severe drought in one out of every five years.

This ballot initiative is a Trojan horse that threatens irreparable harm to our economy and our environment. If it qualifies for the ballot and becomes law, it will consume millions of taxpayer dollars in studying how to dismantle an efficient system that provides water and clean power to hospitals, schools, libraries, police and fire stations, and electric buses.

If you really want to help the environment, conserve water at home and support these re-use and recycling programs. Don't sign a petition that advocates draining the city's reservoir.