Apply to build a water reuse system

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.

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

• Complete an application for your permit
• Pay the application fee with a check or money order 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.
• Complete a working conditions form
• Send all these documents to us:
  • Email dph.nonpotable@sfdph.org
  • By mail or in-person to:
    SFDPH Environmental Health
    Attn: Alternate Water Source Systems
    49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
    San Francisco CA 94103

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

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

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​​​​​

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. For an example, review our letter template.
• 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

We’ll review all your documents and give you a permit.​​​​​​​ Pay the annual license fee with a check or money order to the SF Department of Public Health. Mail your fee to:
SFDPH Environmental Health
Attn: Alternate Water Source Systems
49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
San Francisco CA 94103

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.