SAN FRANCISCO, CA, JAN 13, 2018 -- A new sustainable water project at the Moscone Center will save as much as 15 million gallons of water annually, highlighting the City's ongoing efforts to conserve and reuse water across San Francisco.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and San Francisco Public Works are partnering on implementation of the water reuse system at the popular venue, which hosted a grand opening event recently to celebrate its expansion.
"The Moscone Convention Center represents San Francisco's commitment to conservation and environmental sustainability," said Mayor London Breed. "As the City continues to grow, we must do so in a way that both prepares for the effects of climate change and minimizes the use of the limited resources we have. I want to thank the SFPUC and Public Works for their efforts on this project."
"San Francisco is changing the way we think about matching water supplies with the right use," said SFPUC General Manager Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. "The expanded Moscone Convention Center will not only be the heart of San Francisco's downtown, it will also be a model for innovation water conservation practices."
The onsite non-potable water system at the Moscone Center will collect and treat up to 15 million gallons of foundation water, rainwater and condensate water to flush toilets at the convention center and to water trees and landscaping and clean the streets in the surrounding Yerba Buena neighborhood in San Francisco's South of Market.
"The Moscone Center Expansion Project delivers results on environmental sustainability," said Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. "With an innovative approach and state-of-the-art design and equipment, we will capture millions of gallons of non-potable water to benefit the surrounding neighborhood and conserve drinking water to help make this one of the most environmentally friendly convention venues in the world."
"San Francisco is known as a city that leads the way in sustainability and innovation," said Joe D'Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel, the destination marketing organization for the city and the region. "The water reuse system that has been developed for the expansion of the Moscone Center is further proof that 'green' is deeply ingrained in this city's DNA."
The onsite water system at Moscone Center is permitted through San Francisco's Non-potable Water Program. The program allows buildings to collect, treat and use alternate water sources for non-potable applications and is regulated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health-Environmental Health. Requirements for ongoing water quality monitoring and reporting are a part of the permitting process, in order to be protective of public health.
The City's Convention Facilities Department owns and operates the new water treatment and reuse system. The SFPUC provided partial funding through the Non-potable Grant Program.
San Francisco Public Works, in conjunction with San Francisco's Convention Facilities Department and the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District Management Corporation (SFTID), developed the $551 million expansion to Moscone Center, which features more than 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, nearly 50,000 square feet of column-free ballroom space with terraces offering city views, 82 state-of-the-art flexible meeting rooms, more than 25,000 square feet of secure outdoor spaces and improvements to the public realm to make the neighborhood safer, more beautiful and more inviting.
The SFPUC is committed to exploring innovative practices to conserve water and diversify its sources. According to the agency's annual water resources report, conservation programs and services offered by the SFPUC will result in savings of more than 500 million gallons of water over the next 30 years. Additionally, the SFPUC worked with State Senator Scott Wiener on legislation that will expand water recycling efforts by developing statewide quality standards for onsite non-potable water systems. Last year, the SFPUC partnered with Salesforce on the largest on-site water recycling system in a commercial high-rise building in the United States.
Learn more at www.sfwater.org.
