“It was a lot of rain, consistent heavy rain for an extended period of time that was longer than what we are normally faced with. In the past, labeling a storm as atmospheric rain meant a 12-hour period. The last one was 36 hours of hard consistent rain.” Daniel Whitlock, Acting Operations and Maintenance Manager at the Collections System Division for the Wastewater Enterprise at the SFPUC, explains that the October 24 storm was different. “Many people experienced what an atmospheric river looks and feels like for the very first time. With climate change, heavy storms, such as these

As our rainy season begins here in San Francisco, you may wonder where does it all go? The Bruce Flynn Pump Station, located across from the Southeast Treatment Plant (SEP) at Evans Avenue and Rankin Street, is a critical component to the City’s combined sewer system. Historically, the pump station has operated during wet weather – helping to pump the increased wastewater flows that swell from the added rain that falls on San Francisco. As part of the new Headworks Facility Project, the Bruce Flynn Pump Station has been upgraded to operate year-round to ensure our system continues to protect

“We all have a job to do and in order to do them successfully, we must collaborate and work together as a team,” shared Mabel Chow, SFPUC’s Collection System Division 2021 Employee of the Year. Chow has been in public service for the City and County of San Francisco for 21 years. Chow said the hardest part of her jobs is bringing so many people and various departments together to be on the same page. However, she doesn’t take all the credit. Team work enabled the Collections System to put safety protocols in place during the pandemic and collaborate closer together with other departments.

The Power Enterprise recently energized the new main electric circuit on Yerba Buena Island, marking a significant milestone in the area’s redevelopment. The new electric circuit will play a critical role in providing clean energy to residents and businesses of Yerba Buena Island. As part of the initial phase of redevelopment, the circuit extends down a portion of Macalla Road but will be extended to the rest of Yerba Buena Island during the next phase. 8,000 new units of housing will be constructed, some of which are completing construction and will be ready for residents soon. With the

Last month, our very own Valerie Tulier-Laiwa earned the Rosario Anaya Community Award for her tireless work with the Latino Task Force to help many families during the COVID-19 pandemic. We caught up with Valerie to see what the award has meant to her and how we can all work together in times of need. Question : How long have you worked at the SFPUC and what is your job title? Answer: I have been working for the SFPUC for 6 and a half years and currently I am the Social Impact Partnership Acting Manager in External Affairs. Question: During your career with the SFPUC, what are some memorable

“I work with my hands and equipment. I’d rather keep my hands on the tools.” John Martin is a Stationary Engineer in heavy maintenance for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC’s) Southeast Treatment Plant and he’s made a career being a machinist, for 57 years to be exact, with 27 years at the SFPUC. He reflects on what those years have been like, as he sets to retire in the new year. “I enjoyed my time working or else I wouldn’t have done it for as long as I did,” Martin chuckled. “The work and my colleagues at the Southeast Treatment Plant have been the best part. Other than