San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom this week launched a city-wide rainwater harvesting—the collection and reuse of rainwater for non-drinking uses. The initiative aims to conserve drinking water amidst a statewide drought, support sustainable greening of city yards and spaces, and help divert stormwater runoff from the city’s sewer system, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

“Rainwater harvesting is a simple, safe and sustainable way to help conserve our precious drinking water supplies, green our city and protect our environment,” Mayor Newsom said. “This initiative alone won’t end the drought or fix our climate crisis, but reviving this ancient practice can be part of the solution to our modern challenges.”
Newsom called upon the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Building Inspection to lay out the details of the plan.

“A 60-gallon rain barrel is really just a starting point for most people,” SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington said. “We’re hoping that as people get more comfortable with the concept, they will want to add more rainbarrels or install a larger rainwater harvesting system to fit their needs.”

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of capturing rainwater that runs off hard surfaces like roofs and pavement. Although the practice originated thousands of years ago, it is uncommon in urban areas that are served by municipal water sources. San Francisco’s combined sewer system, which treats both stormwater and sanitary sewage, also will benefit from minimized neighborhood flooding and reduced combined sewer discharges into the San Francisco Bay or Pacific Ocean during major winter storms.

Mayor Newsom also announced a new pilot program that offers city residents discounted rain barrels. Residents can go to BigBlueBarrel.com for more details.