Low Impact Development Incentive Program
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, California
Project
Highlights
- Developed LID techniques.
- Estimated stormwater O&M costs.
- Incentivized stormwater management.
PROJECT GOALS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND BENEFITS
The City and County of San Francisco encouraged developers and its own City departments to incorporate Low Impact Development (LID), or green and sustainable techniques to manage stormwater prior to its collection into a traditional underground piping system, into the design of new facilities and infrastructure. McGovern McDonald Engineers (MME) identified stormwater and recycled water capital and operations and maintenance related costs for conveyance, storage and treatment which could be avoided if stormwater recycle and/or reuse programs were implemented. MME also developed a credit basis using these values to incentivize developers to implement LID. The goal was to separate wastewater and stormwater costs into rate structures to incentivize stormwater management.
Development of a Low Impact Development (LID) Life Cycle Cost Benefit model that determines the costs and benefits of stormwater measures to both the customer and for the SFPUC.
Assessed the methylation potential and bioavailability of mercury discharged from point sources for the Water Environment Research Federation (WERF).
Identified stormwater and recycled water cost and benefits to the customer and SFPUC with implementation of LID techniques.
Development of stormwater best management practice O&M life cycle costs for street installation as part of the San Francisco Better Streets Plan.
Provided NPDES regulatory and permitting support for treated wastewater and stormwater discharges and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) to the Bay and Pacific Ocean.
Development of a modeling tool for States and NPDES permit holders to assist nutrient management strategies for the Water Environment Research Federation.
Reviewed NPDES stormwater documents for transfer from private to SFPUC authority and recommended future monitoring program improvements for the SFPUC’s Mission Bay Development.