Global Customer Relationship Management (CRM) company, Salesforce, has opened Salesforce Tower in San Francisco – featuring the largest on-site water recycling system in a commercial high-rise building in the United States

In Salesforce Tower, wastewater from sources such as rooftop rainwater collection, cooling towers, showers, sinks, toilets and urinals will be collected, treated in a centralized treatment center and recirculated through a separate pipe system to serve non-potable uses in the building. The system will reduce drinking water demand by saving up to 30,000 gallons of fresh water a day, 7.8 million gallons a year, equivalent to the annual water consumption of 16,000 San Franciscoresidents.


In collaboration with the City of San Francisco and Boston Properties, the blackwater system will be installed in the new building making it the first partnership in the U.S. between a city government, building owner and a tenant to support blackwater reuse in a commercial high-rise building. The system will provide water recycling for all tenants and offers a blueprint for how other companies looking to make a positive impact in the world can harness sustainable innovation.

The water recycling system is the latest example of the company’s commitment to the environment through green building practices. Salesforce has already achieved (or is pursuing) green building certification in 64% of its global office spaces and LEED Platinum certification – the highest possible achievement – for three buildings in its San Francisco headquarters.

“At Salesforce, real estate is more than architecture and design,” said Elizabeth Pinkham, the executive vice president of  global real estate at Salesforce. “It’s about creating a ‘home’ that has a positive impact on all of our key stakeholders, including employees, partners, customers, communities and the environment. Because our offices are a physical expression of our values, we’re committed to integrating green building practices into our real estate strategy, including office design, construction and operations.”
