Sewer System Upgrades

Addressing the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow

Now more than ever, we are seeing the importance of upgrading and hardening our critical but aging sewer system in the face of extreme weather and climate change. 

Smart Investments Now Save Money in the Long Run

The longer these upgrades are delayed, the more expensive they become. By prioritizing sustainability and climate action, we're protecting the environment and paving the way for a clean and healthy future for generations to come.

Protecting Public Health and the Environment

Our combined sewer system, which treats both sanitary sewage from homes and buildings and stormwater when it rains, is over 100 years old. Upgrades to modernize our system will ensure we can continue to protect public health and our environment for generations to come. Our vision is to evolve from pollution treatment to resource recovery and reuse.

Preparing for the Next Big Earthquake

In San Francisco, it’s not a matter of it, it is a matter of when our next big earthquake will strike. New facilities are being built to modern seismic standards to ensure we can operate within 72 hours of a major seismic event. 

Improving Stormwater Management and Expanding Green Infrastructure

Citywide we are building innovative green infrastructure projects that use sustainable methods to help slow down or reduce the amount of stormwater going into our sewer system during rainstorms, while also providing more public open spaces and beautified neighborhoods. Our goal is to sustainable manage over 1 billion gallons of stormwater annually by 2050 and we are well on our way.

Investing in at a Sustainable and Affordable Pace

As a ratepayer funded utility, rather than investor owned like PG&E, we must balance the need to invest in our aging system with the cost to our ratepayers. Ongoing condition assessments allow us to prioritize our investments, while low-interest loans from state and federal agencies will save over $1 billion long-term.