Apply to build a water reuse system

Get a permit to collect and reuse water for irrigation, laundry, and flushing toilets.

Water reuse systems are an important part of managing our City's water supply. San Francisco Health Code Article 12C covers the collection, treatment, and reuse of rainwater, stormwater, graywater and other alternate water sources. This water can be used for toilet flushing, irrigation, and other non-potable uses in commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, and multi-parcel developments.

For more information on water reuse systems and the permit process, read the Rules and Regulations and Water Reuse Program Guidebook. To build or use an alternate water source, you’ll need to submit documents to a few different City agencies. You can use our checklist to track your progress. Download the application packet for all the forms you need.

If you have questions, email dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org

Submit a water budget application

Single-family or two-unit projects do not need to complete a water budget application.

Download and fill out a water budget application based on your project type
Submit the application to SF Public Utilities Commission:
- Email nonpotable@sfwater.org
- Mail or deliver in-person to:
  SFPUC Water Resources Division
  525 Golden Gate Ave, 10th Floor,
  San Francisco, CA 94102

Submit a district-scale plan

Sharing an alternate water source with another site can be more efficient. If you have 2 or more parcels sharing an alternate water source, you need to submit a plan. This is a district-scale project. The plan should include:

Layout of system components
System details
Estimated potable and non-potable water supplies and demands
Estimated discharges to the sewer system
Proposed ownership model and compliance plan
Phasing for implementation of district-scale project

Email the plan to nonpotable@sfwater.org

Submit a permit application, engineering report, and the fee

Cost:

Check the fee schedule

Before you build your water reuse system, you’ll need to:

Complete an application for your permit
Pay the application fee, found on the fee schedule above, with a check or money order made out to the SF Department of Public Health
Get an engineering report from an engineer licensed in CA. For more information, please review our detailed instructions and template. You can also download the template as a Word file.
Send all these documents to us:
- Email dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org
- By mail or in-person to:
  SFDPH Environmental Health Branch
  Attn: Alternate Water Source Systems
  49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
  San Francisco CA 94103

Submit an encroachment permit application

If your system will be in the public right-of-way (such as a sidewalk or street) you need another permit. Submit a major encroachment permit to SF Public Works. Mail or drop off in-person to:
Director of Public Works
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94103

Submit construction information

Once we approve your engineering report, you'll need a building permit. Learn more about the building permit process.

Get your construction inspected

Before you can use your system, we need to test the connection between the systems.

Email to backflow@sfwater.org to schedule a cross-connection test
Email proof of your test results to: dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org
Email dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org to schedule an inspection of your system for job card sign-off

Submit documents after completing construction

Let us know your construction is complete by submitting to dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org:

A System Construction Verification letter signed and stamped by a professional engineer.
An Operations and Maintenance Manual and startup plan. For an example, review our manual template. You can also download the template as a Word file.
The completed Treatment System Manager Affidavit form
Proof that you worked with a certified laboratory
Your Business Account Number from your business registration from the SF Tax Collector

Pay the license fee and get your permit

We’ll review all your documents and issue a permit if all documentation is approved. Pay the annual license fees directly to the San Francisco Tax Collector's Office in order to maintain the Permit to Operate in good standing.

Submit monthly data reports

Once you have your permit, you have 90 days to use your system in Conditional Startup Mode. You need to submit a Data and Monitoring Report and lab results every month to dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org.

For more information on Conditional Startup Mode, review the Water Reuse Program Guidebook. Make sure you are familiar with the rules for water reuse systems. If you do not meet the requirements, your permit will expire after one year.

Submit annual reports and pay license fee

You need to submit regular reports to maintain your permit. These reports make sure your system is safe and functional.

Test your backflow prevention assemblies every year
Submit regular Data and Monitoring Reports and Annual Reports to dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org
Annual reports are due by January 15th for the previous calendar year.
Let us know if your system changes or if you have any problems
Pay annual license fees directly to the San Francisco Tax Collector's Office

Partner agencies

Public Utilities Commission