CASE STUDY 18 Public-private partnerships, policy dialogues and innovations to advance water resilience and circularity in San Francisco Organizations: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) (Chair), National Blue Ribbon Commission – US Water Alliance, Water Environment & Reuse Foundation, Water Research Foundation, Epic Cleantec. Description: To increase water conservation and protection against drought, the city of San Francisco has built an environment conducive to water innovation, circularity and resilience. Water circularity is fostered through policies such as: (1) its non-potable water ordinance, which allows for collecting, treating and using alternative water sources for non-potable uses in buildings; and (2) the recycled water ordinance, which sets requirements for installing recycled water systems in new construction, modification or remodel projects. In addition, San Francisco has adopted OneWaterSF, an integrated approach for long-term water resilience that embodies the concept of “one water”. Within this local water programme, San Francisco has a conservation, groundwater, recycled water, on-site water reuse and innovations programme, underscoring the need for combining different strategies to make the city’s water system more resilient. Within this context, SFPUC, a key provider of drinking water and wastewater services, has advanced water resilience and circularity through partnerships such as the National Blue Ribbon Commission, chaired by SFPUC, which focuses on creating tools and resources to support implementation of sustainable water strategies and to foster collaborations. This policy leadership has enabled innovative companies like Epic Cleantec to develop and scale-up water reuse technologies. In 2022, the company launched San Francisco’s first approved and operational onsite water reuse system at a high-rise apartment building. Sources: See endnotes.109,110,111,112 Water Futures: Mobilizing Multi-Stakeholder Action for Resilience 41

Water Futures Mobilizing Multi Stakeholder Action for Resilience 2025