Two greywater reuse systems are fully operational in two residential buildings in the city, which will recycle three million gallons of water annually
San Francisco is building on its reputation as a leader in water reuse technologies with two more buildings implementing on-site greywater reuse systems. The systems, implemented in The Chorus, a luxury apartment at the intersection of Hayes Valley, SoMa and the Mission neighbourhoods, and The Landing in the Dogpatch neighbourhood, are both operated by San Francisco-based water reuse technology company Epic Cleantec.
The Chorus system will recycle up to almost three (2.9) million gallons of water annually and The Landing system will recycle up to one million gallons of water annually, which will be reused on-site for toilet flushing, cooling towers, and irrigation to significantly reduce water usage in both buildings.
Chorus, home to the City Ballet and Chorus Hall, is a 467,000-square-foot luxury apartment building pursuing LEED Gold certification for its energy-efficient design, including on-site water reuse and use of locally sourced material. The Landing is a 308,000-square-foot multifamily apartment building featuring smart home technology that incorporates sustainable features such as Tesla sharing.
San Francisco is committed to implementing such on-site water reuse technologies to help conserve water and fortify the city against ongoing drought. New developments of 100,000 square feet or more are now required to install and operate on-site water reuse systems, which help reduce building operating costs and future-proof against rising utility rates and water shortages.
In November 2022, Epic Cleantec unveiled the city’s first approved and operational on-site water reuse system at a 40-story high-rise apartment building in downtown San Francisco.
“On-site water reuse is not just a sustainability initiative: it’s a vital component of responsible urban development, especially in a water-stressed city like San Francisco,” said Roman Speron, chief development officer at Sentral. “Sentral is now the first multifamily management company with two active and approved on-site greywater reuse systems in the city. “Through our partnership with Epic Cleantec, we are not only alleviating strain on municipal water supplies but also fostering a culture of environmental stewardship across our communities.”
By harnessing innovation and technology, we are empowering building owners and operators to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable, water-resilient urban landscape.
Aaron Tartakovsky, Co-founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec
Paula Kehoe, San Francisco public utilities commission director of water resources and chair of the National Blue Ribbon Commission for On-site Non-potable Water Systems, said the buildings expand the City’s diversified water recycling portfolio while setting the example for sustainable real estate development in San Francisco.
She added, “Increasing and maximising the use of recycled water in buildings and facilities demonstrates San Francisco’s global leadership and stewardship to use water efficiently. We applaud our partners for taking a leadership role in environmentally responsible development.”
Epic Cleantec deploys onsite water treatment and reuse systems into individual buildings or groups of buildings, converting building wastewater into treated water for non-potable applications, organic soil amendments, and recovered wastewater heat energy. It was born out of initial work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Reinvent the Toilet Challenge.
“We are working with pioneering partners like Sentral to catalyse a movement toward more efficient, environmentally conscious water usage within the heart of our built environment,” said Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec. “By harnessing innovation and technology, we are empowering building owners and operators to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable, water-resilient urban landscape.”
