[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6696786,"mediaKeyId","5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414","parentId",5175062,"title","BAWSCA briefs SFPUC on wholesale customers' demand study and the 184 million‑gallons supply assurance","audioSeconds",1082,"startMs",2314000,"endMs",3396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414&start=2314&end=3396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414/thumbnail_2314000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696786/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/BAWSCA-briefs-SFPUC-on-wholesale-customers-demand-study-and-the-184-milliongallons-supply-assurance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696786-9f48d70709ed0e71ab04d5576b1f254c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136202&Signature=duw~Iecp-19lT89d7Taf5Ygpo0JH3fI6uWRiz0e9Wf~GcDfDyg8GUptHSdm-i8L2HtgpscfzxXvQfe6XIOBztb4IzxfHFmRgifjq3S2UePXDtdVkwRtKJGDyb6p-xI6zasZVXTWnY0T35gXKFD21XPNR~ZIxxvMA8Zl4KM5WQBI3IHLGTMvS6ZCbWBjohfg5C1dZmZGVAmddNpbQxtTTBhTx8YBd92ieqbnlMH4y70kkgFv60WSfjxYFLjPxpkVK1VVQ5UScv0F31YzyMkGmxQud70Cjs7tA8pDdFSCnOVXNCIGijXKP0K2F7kr1uWEWSIWlZs-yM4U5eyDirchtIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-07-04T02:37:00Z","article","Nicole Sankula Baska, chief executive officer of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), presented to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Nov. 26 about wholesale customer planning, demand projections and how those dynamics affect regional water reliability.

BAWSCA represents 26 wholesale water suppliers that receive SFPUC regional water; the agencies collectively serve about 1,800,000 people, Baska said. She explained the historical reliance on the regional system and showed a supply‑portfolio graphic that, according to her presentation, illustrated a 1986 baseline, a post‑drought current picture and a future projection in which wholesale customers are diversifying supply with more recycled water, groundwater conjunctive use and conservation.

Baska told the commission that BAWSCA is coordinating a demand study using econometric models for each member agency that will project demands to 2045 and explicitly examine “drought recovery” behavior — how usage rebounds after droughts — as a key uncertainty in planning. She said the demand study, begun in March, considers variables including population, employment, water rates, conservation activity and temperature, and that it would produce a range of projections to inform planning and urban water management plans; BAWSCA expects the study to be complete by June of next fiscal year.

BAWSCA emphasized the continuing importance of the SFPUC supply-assurance right of 184,000,000 gallons per day; Baska traced the assurance to litigation dating back to a 1977 settlement in Palo Alto v. San Francisco and said it remains “a critical component” of member agencies’ planning. Commissioners and BAWSCA staff discussed whether current actual usage creates a growing gap between the 184 MGD assurance and projected demand; BAWSCA noted that the assurance is a perpetual right and that most planning activity focuses on dry‑year reliability rather than normal‑year supply.

Why it matters: BAWSCA’s demand projections and the legal guarantee of 184 MGD shape how wholesale customers and the PUC plan investments in diversification, conservation and dry‑year projects. The demand‑study results will affect whether wholesale customers pursue local recycling, groundwater projects, or other investments and will inform SFPUC’s discussions with the Planning Department about future development and water‑supply assessments.

BAWSCA said it is coordinating closely with PUC staff and that the demand study’s range-based outputs will be used for urban water management planning and to advise both agency and city decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Jul 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Nicole Sandkula Baska of BAWSCA reminded commissioners that 26 wholesale customers rely on SFPUC supply and the 184 million‑gallon-per-day legal supply assurance; BAWSCA described a demand‑projection econometric study due June that will present a range of future demand scenarios and inform regional planning.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696791,"SFPUC outlines FY21–22 budget timetable, flags recruitment and resilience themes",687,925000,1612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414&start=925&end=1612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414/thumbnail_925000.jpg","/articles/6696791/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SFPUC-outlines-FY2122-budget-timetable-flags-recruitment-and-resilience-themes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696791-c2a8cc08cfce69eb574df128771bbc96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136202&Signature=Hg53pUCUIdINnx7L2BXWPHhczqbxwEFZt4yBSiZYj1ItiB~ay1FDFMIXd1PSgi43KoV9MDPPMsoXYdmDiOyjnn9WlQ-~wBDXsT-OZUkjjkk~FFLdstTvonYtyHXtEaX5AmACuixjJHL8kLZhT5moio~61lDIwDyz1paguchzs40yKxcnMyjYXFdjVn8qiV7drpoT2TezwNPG1e1NbxahMD2GAdR3Azfpdlp3ifSuX8Tmjp3AnxjK9SRPGoTIi-hrXOvE~zSiyrS3Z~~L0xu8iD0KM~auVJ3xYIgTUVeiYZUqNgDJr2s74IKMtuhx8Rtbtu4T5YfSlSGxYUuruyKr1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charles Pearl, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, briefed commissioners on Nov. 26 on progress developing the two‑year operating and capital budgets for fiscal years 2021–22.

Pearl said the PUC opened systems for operating and capital submissions after a Sept. 10 kickoff and that staff are reviewing submissions through December before four budget hearings beginning Jan. 9 and a planned commission adoption on Feb. 11; the PUC’s submittal will then go to the mayor’s office and the controller for the city’s budget process and a Board of Supervisors hearing on May 1, he said. The schedule, Pearl noted, follows the city’s administrative-code timing.

On the operating side, Pearl said staff “did allocate a 3% increase for our operations and maintenance costs” as the baseline and that assistant general managers could submit requests above that baseline for new programs or increased service levels. He identified emerging themes that will appear in package materials: recruitment and human-resources capacity, conversions of temporary positions to permanent roles, workplace health and safety, wildfire mitigation, regulatory response and operations for new facilities coming online.

On capital planning, Pearl said the PUC has convened steering and working groups and hired a consultant to compare SFPUC capital-planning practices with best practices; capital themes will include dam safety, water-supply diversification, sanitary system improvement program (SSIP) work and transmission and local generation projects tied to CleanPowerSF’s first capital plan. He said the PUC’s 10‑year financial plan will act as an affordability check on operating and capital proposals.

Commissioners pressed staff on goals for the budget messaging and affordability. Pearl said the agency will present broader “department‑wide” themes so that individual bureau budgets show how they fit the whole; he also said staff are working to integrate the three revenue streams that customers see into a unified affordability narrative. Several speakers urged that new program funding be paid for with operating savings where possible and that temporary‑to‑permanent conversions be evaluated as if they were new permanent positions.

Why it matters: the FY21–22 budget will set staffing and capital priorities for SFPUC’s water, power, wastewater and CleanPowerSF enterprises; staff signaled more attention to resilience (wildfire, climate), recruitment and affordability checks that could shape rate projections when the commission considers the full budget in January and February.

Pearl and staff did not request a budget action at the meeting; they said budget hearings would present line‑item proposals and affordability scenarios in January and February.","Deputy CFO Charles Pearl presented the commission with the schedule and emerging themes for the two‑year operating and capital budget, including a 3% baseline increase for operations and emphasis on recruitment, temporary‑to‑permanent conversions, wildfire mitigation and affordability checks tied to a 10‑year financial plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696797,"SFPUC reports progress on Hetch Hetchy repairs, warns some work to be rebid",357,338000,695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414&start=338&end=695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414/thumbnail_338000.jpg","/articles/6696797/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SFPUC-reports-progress-on-Hetch-Hetchy-repairs-warns-some-work-to-be-rebid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696797-57dc768eacf98c1fa05b66a64685dcec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136202&Signature=cJI~d~Z7UanOgUfZckZblrRcYhM16xpcWvu6bNnhBBirOU3Why~ccyyeJUzXVFdi6cZ1~u7odC9DAXRz2C1k9GsS7qmOS8S85RWUtl7~62rOTEITv3WbdNaN1aXAYCNolLJVduR92wWK~bJt~7S8xPI01imi7-WpYPMi25P2jsCePOq0NjslAWE8Sf07GevNxx-XIMWwd9flb3uWBlg1MZBk1tBKOunOOTxWBY3Z1-8eVPIJnxye2-6qeF~ehj~ZybYjHN6Gzwjq1F2mM0nEz73Dk5APNdofhMpnytkqev0u2zFl4WlQ~lMHNV2PTrI5jgwT56h8xTEt~suxHzbBwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dan Wade, director of water capital programs with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told commissioners on Nov. 26 the first-quarter update for the Hetch Hetchy Capital Improvement Program covered a mix of completed work, grant-funded mitigations and items staff decided to split from current contracts.

Wade said “the 2018 Mountain Tunnel interim repairs are now completed,” and that the Mountain Tunnel Improvements Project had a mitigated negative declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act issued and that staff had advertised the project for construction bidding. He added that the pre-bid meeting was taking place at Moccasin as the report was presented.

The report also noted “substantial completion” for the Lower Cherry Aqueduct rehabilitation and that the Early Intake Switchyard slope-hazard mitigation work had been awarded and a notice to proceed issued; Wade said a FEMA hazard-mitigation grant of about $900,000 partially funds the switchyard protection work. ABAG (the Association of Bay Area Governments) provided a $3,000,000 drought-relief grant that partially funded the Lower Cherry diversion project, he said.

On the Warrenville Substation rehabilitation project, Wade said the work had successfully reenergized Modesto Irrigation District lines 7 and 8, but the commission’s staff “decided in the best interest of the city, to delete the installation of the 2 30 kV breakers from the scope,” citing “lack of confidence in the contractor’s ability to meet our tight schedule shutdown window” and nonconformance. Wade said the PUC is negotiating change orders with the contractor and expects to bring a separate contract to finish that scope in roughly two years.

Wade also reviewed remaining work from the March 2018 storm event, noting replacement of Gate 3 and installation of upstream debris barriers were now substantially complete, and that a downstream flood-control berm to protect the fish hatchery was in construction and anticipated to finish in the near term.

Public commenters raised several operational and planning questions while Wade took questions. Commenter Richard Acosta asked about the original Jacobs inspection report on the Mountain Tunnel, how much Jacobs was paid, and a line‑item accounting from the initial inspection to the current repairs; he asked the commission to provide those records under the Freedom of Information Act. Acosta and other speakers also urged the commission to clarify energy planning for the Southeast Treatment Plant digesters and to brief commissioners on projected energy needs for those systems. Commissioners and staff committed to follow up with the requested information.

Why it matters: the Hetch Hetchy system supplies regional water and carries high public-safety and environmental risks if projects are delayed or mis-scoped. Grant funding and FEMA/hazard mitigation money are helping limit local ratepayer exposure, but staff told the commission that some work will require rebidding or a separate contract because of contractor performance risks.

The commission did not take an action on the CIP presentation itself; staff said the projects will return for procurement or construction approvals as required.

The PUC’s CEQA filings, the ABAG drought grant and the FEMA hazard‑mitigation award were all cited in the presentation; staff said the Mountain Tunnel Improvements Project’s mitigated negative declaration was released for public comment and adopted by the commission on Nov. 12, 2019.","SFPUC staff reported substantial completion on several Hetch Hetchy projects, including Mountain Tunnel interim repairs and the Lower Cherry Aqueduct rehabilitation, and said parts of the Warrenville Substation scope will be delayed and rebid due to contractor performance concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696776,"Votes at a glance: SFPUC Nov. 26 actions include debt policy, $850M taxable refunding, grant‑rule changes and land transactions",4312,56000,4368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414&start=56&end=4368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414/thumbnail_56000.jpg","/articles/6696776/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-SFPUC-Nov-26-actions-include-debt-policy-850M-taxable-refunding-grantrule-changes-and-land-transactions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696776-edbf37e8315f701b256b2c5d4104c651/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136202&Signature=VlImicuQZXhBzASYQWrf8eiFi0vHMRKI0tc-8mOK3J2Hh~AOhWOc9ayiJ9o1YliMIwmo6ucQZHEZbp6xxUFBEKPAInkrxmvbQ7o86s-LsWcOSTrvi4bEgVhSGywDxXrFhI1ENreZpddtwfX2fdarrh2CHNn8KNtGn~q3fQzU4SET89YFZuk6gJYAXR20SFZLexQ3vgMOeY70Hn6sMbw3nFo7CjXJJDYyRJiI5BBgrpN3HYp3jtS2tLC9z3D1Y2M5ET5Okpc0PNllP9boeb8zB0ZrcyALpNzkg~hy1V9E~w5n0ujX~I5bJo8f4uebqpkfrWqYJTET9dKk~wt4Ksu97Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission recorded the following formal actions at its Nov. 26 regular meeting. All items below were approved by the commission; the transcript records voice votes and motions, but not detailed roll‑call tallies for each item.

• Approval of minutes, Nov. 12, 2019 (item 3). Motion moved and seconded; commission approved.

• Consent calendar (item 10). All listed consent items were approved by single vote after no items were removed for separate discussion.

• Amendments to the SFPUC Large Landscape Grant Program rules (item 11). Commission approved staff recommendations to lower the minimum irrigated landscape size eligible from 1/2 acre to 10,000 square feet, to clarify recycled‑water and landscape efficiency project eligibility, to set maximum grant award limitations, to remove synthetic turf installation eligibility and to make administrative clarifications. (Mover/second not specified in transcript; motion carried.)

• Adoption of revised debt management policies and procedures (item 12). The commission adopted revisions that create a disclosure appendix reflecting new SEC ‘‘listed events,’’ create a Disclosure Practices Working Group and formally add WIFIA loans as an eligible low‑cost financing instrument.

• Authorization for issuance of up to $850,000,000 of 2019 Series A–D taxable water revenue bonds (item 13). The commission authorized the bonds, approved related transaction documents for sale on a competitive or negotiated basis, and delegated award authority to the general manager to accept the lowest‑cost proposal. Staff indicated pricing was planned for the week of Dec. 9 with a likely close in late December/early January. Series A–C will primarily advance‑refund prior water bonds; series D will refinance outstanding taxable commercial paper.

• Consent to the development agreement for 3333 California Street and adoption of CEQA findings (item 14). The PUC consented to the development agreement limited to PUC jurisdictional matters, including an auxiliary water supply system (AWSS) connection and a community‑benefits fee of $1,055,000 to the PUC, and adopted CEQA findings and a mitigation and monitoring and reporting program as required.

• Declare surplus property and land swap (item 15). The commission declared 630 Market (or 639 Bryant) surplus to its utility needs and authorized a land disposition and acquisition agreement with 200 Marin Property LP to transfer 639 Bryant in exchange for acquiring 2000 Marin Street; the swap is intended to expand SFPUC corporate yard capacity (project and environmental review materials referenced). Public comment included support from labor representatives noting workforce benefits.

Votes and procedural notes: motions were moved and seconded on record for the items above; voice votes yielded “motion carries” statements in the transcript but did not include explicit yes/no counts for each vote. The commission also scheduled and referenced other agenda items (rescheduling of item 7 to Dec. 10; Planning Commission presentation scheduled Dec. 12) and proceeded to closed session following the actions listed above.","On Nov. 26 the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved amendments to a large‑landscape grant program, adopted revised debt management/disclosure policies, authorized up to $850 million in taxable water revenue bonds, consented to a development agreement for 3333 California St. and approved a land swap acquiring 2000 Marin Street.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696781,"SFPUC adopts revised debt‑disclosure practice and authorizes up to $850 million taxable water refunding",561,2785000,3346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414&start=2785&end=3346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175062-1eb305725a36bc6b38b8902734ddc414/thumbnail_2785000.jpg","/articles/6696781/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SFPUC-adopts-revised-debtdisclosure-practice-and-authorizes-up-to-850-million-taxable-water-refunding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696781-1eefe6c706c61fff5985c19cf0ee9754/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136202&Signature=UlGlKoFIr0E9K8pAhCUdFLAa6rUjT-WRy~EG9Z7MbOcN0z0ypAYOK~mlkViZHtPbxUwGaaufkgCVdle0-cctLz17R4rVO3iyIbarShu8Y~X~ij7Qie90pCKkz2Foy3~V0YFhJf4ThDuEZtKvWFVxPqfdL5aCno~~3LOs1ylltRhdPmu-j~3FSh9kJEKnA6DdzZPlNXAcy5D8GdOTaI-m6~fM7AfMTOrwCOWSqvyhQURMsceoF3APaqQpFQqrym842pq4f49KS07uCx3qoGnwtskFJN68hCkewUQiT1iNxdSNJC8ZvV9uakeVtJ4HsQhxQhgdzOPOJ4A6o80Y9dcx1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard Morales, debt manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, asked the commission to adopt updated debt policies and to authorize a taxable water‑revenue refunding in a combined presentation on Nov. 26.

On the debt‑policy revisions (item 12), Morales told commissioners the changes establish a separate disclosure appendix to reflect new Securities and Exchange Commission ‘‘listed events’’ that require issuer disclosure within 10 business days, including the 2019 additions for the incurrence of a material financial obligation and a default under a financial obligation reflecting financial difficulties. Morales said staff propose a formal Disclosure Practices Working Group — the assistant general manager CFO, two deputy CFOs and the debt manager, with consultation from the city attorney and outside disclosure counsel — to meet semi‑annually or as needed to monitor financial and debt obligations.

Other policy changes Morales described include formal recognition of WIFIA (Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) loans as a low‑cost financing tool and technical amendments related to wastewater bond indenture provisions to allow more market‑standard variable‑rate provisions.

On the bond transaction (item 13) Morales said the commission was being asked to authorize the issuance of up to $850,000,000 of 2019 series A–D taxable water revenue bonds, to be sold in one or more series on either a competitive or negotiated basis; staff recommended selling on a negotiated basis led by Morgan Stanley after a request for proposals. Morales described that series A–C would advance‑refund multiple prior water bond series and series D would refinance outstanding taxable commercial paper. He explained the 2017 federal tax law change prohibits tax‑exempt advance refundings, so the PUC is pursuing a taxable advance‑refunding because taxable rates are historically low; given current market conditions the transaction was expected to yield meaningful present‑value savings (staff estimated about $88 million in present‑value savings, roughly 14% of the refunded par, using market assumptions available at the hearing).

Morales also reported the water enterprise received a Moody’s upgrade (from Aa3 to Aa2) and an S&P affirmation at AA‑, and said strong water supply, stable finances, robust liquidity and strong management were cited by the rating agencies.

Why it matters: adopting formal disclosure procedures and recognizing state and federal low‑cost loan programs clarifies the PUC’s approach to compliance and financing. The bond authorization, if executed at the stated pricing window, is expected to reduce future debt service costs for the water enterprise and therefore could moderate future rate increases for water customers.

Commission action: the commission adopted the revised debt policies and authorized the issuance and sale (and delegated award authority to the general manager based on lowest cost criteria) of up to $850,000,000 of taxable water revenue bonds (series 2019 A–D). Staff indicated pricing was planned for the week of Dec. 9 with a likely close in late December or early January.","The commission adopted revisions to debt management and disclosure procedures to reflect new SEC listed events and formally recognize WIFIA loans, and authorized the issuance of up to $850 million in 2019 taxable water revenue bonds (series A–D) to refund outstanding water debt and refinance commercial paper.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BAWSCA briefs SFPUC on wholesale customers' demand study and the 184 million‑gallons supply assurance

SFPUC outlines FY21–22 budget timetable, flags recruitment and resilience themes

SFPUC reports progress on Hetch Hetchy repairs, warns some work to be rebid

Votes at a glance: SFPUC Nov. 26 actions include debt policy, $850M taxable refunding, grant‑rule changes and land transactions

SFPUC adopts revised debt‑disclosure practice and authorizes up to $850 million taxable water refunding