• Learn what storm water pollution is and why it is a problem.
• VIEW the most current fact sheet on the City and County of San Francisco Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)

Plan Background: Most of San Francisco is served by a combined storm sewer system, where stormwater, along with residential and commercial sewage, is directed to treatment plants prior to being released to the San Francisco Bay or Pacific Ocean. There are, however, some areas in San Francisco that are served by a separate storm sewer. In these areas, stormwater that goes into street storm drains flows directly to receiving water bodies, such as the Bay, Ocean or local lakes. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has developed a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) to manage stormwater in those areas of the City that are served by separate storm and sewer collection systems. The SWMP describes specific programs that the SFPUC will implement to minimize stormwater pollution in these areas, which account for about 10% of the City. See Figure 1 of the SWMP for a map showing the areas currently covered by the SWMP.

In the future, other areas that have separate storm and sewer systems, such as Mission Bay-South and Treasure Island, may also fall under this Plan, should the City and County of San Francisco assume jurisdiction over them.

Waterfront property on the east side of San Francisco, which is owned and operated by the Port of San Francisco, is also served by separate storm sewer systems.  The Port of San Francisco, however, has prepared a separate Stormwater Management Plan.  For information on the Port of San Francisco SWMP, please contact John Mundy at John.Mundy@sfport.com or (415) 274-0256 or visit www.sfport.com.

Regulatory Requirements: The San Francisco Stormwater Management Plan has been developed, and will be implemented, to ensure that San Francisco is in compliance with State regulatory mandates. These State mandates are commonly referred to as "Phase II" regulations, which municipalities must comply with in order for stormwater discharges to be covered under the State's General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems WQO No. 2003-0005-DWQ (Small MS4, or Phase II, General Permit).  For information on the State stormwater program and related requirements, visit http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/stormwtr/sm_municipal_swmp.html.

Current Plan Status: The California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) approved the City and County of San Francisco Stormwater Management Plan (January 2004). The January 2004 SWMP reflected comments and recommendations made by the State, as well as by interested local parties who had attended various Public Meetings held on the Plan during 2003.  View the City and County of San Francisco Stormwater Management Plan:  PART 1, PART 2

The Board's approval of the SWMP means that the City and County of San Francisco has successfully obtained coverage under the State's Phase II General Permit.  In accordance with State’s letter of approval, therefore, as of April 14, 2004, discharges from the SFPUC’s Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (i.e., separate storm sewer areas) are authorized by the State Water Resources Control Board's Phase II General Permit.


Get Involved: 

READ the most current fact sheet on the Plan and to learn about the types of programs that will be development under this Plan

Learn about San Francisco's public education campaign to promote Only Rain Down the Drain!

Check this website for update on implementation of SWMP programs for Public Meetings or other opportunities for involvement.

For more information about the San Francisco Storm Water Management Plan and how to be more involved, please call Rosey Jencks at (415) 934-5762 or email rjencks@sfwater.org.