San Francisco is in the process of developing a Reclamation Master Plan to allow the use of reclaimed water from sources (including effluent from sewage treatment plants). This reclaimed water will be used to: irrigate parks, flush toilets, and supply water to cooling towers, decorative fountains and fire sprinkler systems in may buildings in the City. All of these systems are presently supplied with potable water. Cross connections may be created when converting the existing plumbing to the reclaimed system, or reverting back to the potable water supply if the reclaimed water supply is insufficient to meet demand.

Incidents of drinking water contamination through cross connections exert public demands on regulatory agencies and water suppliers for safer and more reliable drinking water systems. Cross connection hazards can be minimized through well managed abatement programs.

Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations includes program requirements necessary for the water supplier to protect the public water supply from contamination through cross connections. Title 17 also allows the program to be implemented directly by the water supplier or by means of a contractual agreement with local health agency.

The San Francisco Cross Connection Control Program is administered jointly by the San Francisco Water Department, having the responsibility for preventing contamination of the public water supply, and Environmental Health Management having overall and ultimate responsibility for preventing contamination of the potable water system.