Directors unanimously adopted an immediately effective update to the district’s year-round water-waste ordinance, including phased nonfunctional-turf restrictions. Staff forecast a 100% chance of a very strong El Niño from October through December and a greater than 83% chance of a record Pacific temperature anomaly—not record rainfall—and outlined flood preparations. A groundwater-management update is due December 29, with no operating changes expected and a possible December 10 hearing.
The board set an Oct. 8 public hearing on an updated water waste ordinance incorporating the state nonfunctional turf irrigation ban, which does not apply to residential customers. Staff said a Niles Canyon truck crash prompted a creek response and follow-up sampling with no impact to the District's water supply. The board honored retiring Engineering Supervisor Cristina Pena for 25+ years of service.
The board approved the Patterson Reservoir Remediation Project, which will add berms to restore required freeboard and is intended to support a higher operating level after construction, targeted for spring-summer 2027. Staff referenced 5.0% and 5.5% annual rate increase options from the July 30 workshop, with more workshops set for August 27 and September 24. Incoming Finance Director Rick Bruneau was also introduced and will start August 24.
Elevated organics (notably geosmin) in South Bay Aqueduct supply led to taste and odor complaints at Treatment Plant #2; staff said water was safe and the episode appears to have passed for now while monitoring continues. A commenter flagged northern-area hardness nearing 150 mg/L. Staff also briefed the California Water Plan 2028 update targeting 9 million acre-feet of additional supply, conservation, or storage capacity by 2040.
The board adopted the 2025–2030 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan, projecting water supply reliability through at least 2045 with potential shortages of up to 8–10% during the worst year of a multi-year drought through 2040. The board approved the FY 2026–27 amended budget, which assumes 5% rate increases in FY27 and FY28 and notes SFPUC wholesale rates rising 7.4% per year; a detailed rate discussion is scheduled for July 30, 2026.
