Water Resources

Stanford University's water resources consist of surface water from creeks, rainfall runoff, and ground water; and its supplies include those sources plus the primary regional water supply system - the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's regional water supply system.

Stanford University’s Drinking Water Sources

Water supplied to Stanford by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) comes from three major sources: Hetch Hetchy Watershed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and local watersheds in Alameda and San Mateo Counties.

The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir in the SFPUC system, is located in Yosemite National Park. The high quality Hetch Hetchy water supply meets all federal and state criteria for watershed protection, disinfection treatment, bacteriological quality and operational standards. As a result, the US EPA and CDPH granted the Hetch Hetchy water source a filtration exemption. This exemption is contingent upon the Hetch Hetchy water quality continuing to meet all filtration avoidance criteria. The water delivered from the SFPUC to Stanford is both chloraminated and fluoridated.

The Alameda watershed, spans more than 35,000 acres in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. Surface water from rainfall and runoff is collected in the Calaveras and San Antonio Reservoirs. Prior to distribution, water from the watershed is treated at the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant (SVWTP).

Surface water from rainfall and runoff captured in the 23,000-acre Peninsula Watershed, which is located in San Mateo County, is stored in four reservoirs: Crystal Springs (Lower and Upper), San Andreas, Pilarcitos and Stone Dam. This water source is treated at the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant prior to delivery to customers.

Water System Management

Utilities Services manages the storage, distribution, maintenance, and monitoring programs for Stanford’s drinking water supply. Stanford routinely collects water quality samples from various locations within the campus distribution system. The most frequently collected samples are analyzed for coliform bacteria, chlorine residual, and general physical parameters.

Supplementary water quality samples are collected to monitor for additional constituents in compliance with CDPH requirements. A certified laboratory analyzes all samples. Stanford submits monthly reports that include all monitoring results to the CDPH.

Stanford Utilities Services also maintains flushing, cross-connections, and backflow prevention programs to ensure a consistent high quality drinking water supply. SFPUC also collects daily water quality samples from various locations within their transmission system. The samples are analyzed for primary standards that apply to the protection of public health and secondary standards that refer to the aesthetic qualities of water such as taste and odor.

For more information about Stanford's water resources and quality, please see the annual water quality reports.

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