From Sludge to Biosolids Let's learn how we treat solids extracted during the primary and secondary treatment processes. In the beginning, the extracted solid material is called "sludge." The treatment process transforms sludge into biosolids, a recycled product that can be used as a fertilizer replacement. San Francisco produces approximately 65,000 wet tons of biosolids every year (1 ton = 2000 pounds). Step One: Thickening Sludge separated from wastewater during primary and secondary treatment still contains a lot of water. Gravity belt thickeners are used to optimize the moisture level of

Where you live determines which treatment plant your wastewater is cleaned. (Where does my sewage get treated?) There are two 24-hour treatment plants that operate 365 days a year. We also have a third facility called a "wet-weather facility" that only operates during rain events. Wastewater treatment is separated into liquid and solids processing components. 2 Treatment Plants and 1 Wet-Weather Facility

Catch Basins and Storm Drains Stormwater enters the combined sewer system through roof drains on buildings or the thousands of catch basins along the street. Sanitary sewage flows from homes and businesses into sewer lateral pipes to sewer mains and through a network of over 1,000 pipes. We own and operate about 1,900 miles of sewer mains and laterals right under the street. End to end, it would stretch from here to Colorado (and back) and over 300 miles are more than 100 years old! A few areas in San Francisco are serviced by a separate sanitary sewer system, which is designed to transport

San Francisco is the only coastal city in California with a combined sewer system that collects and treats both wastewater and stormwater in the same network of pipes. Water flows through most of the sewers using gravity. Our hilly geography comes in handy reducing the energy and maintenance costs associated with mechanical pumping. Stormwater enters the combined sewer system through building roof drains or the catch basins along the street and gets treated at our plants just like the wastewater that goes down your drain. One of the City’s challenges is that the watershed area is mostly paved

Every time you flush the toilet, take a shower, brush your teeth, do your laundry, or wash the dishes; this wastewater is collected and treated by the City's sewer system. Our sewer system collects and treats sewage from homes and businesses, stormwater (rainwater) and street runoff into the drains. This is our City’s lifeline protecting public health and environmental quality. Nearly one million residents, businesses and visitors rely on our sewer system every day. We own and operate about 1,900 miles of sewer mains and laterals right under the street. End to end, it would stretch from here

The Southeast Community Facility Commission (SECFC) is a seven-member, mayoral-appointed leadership body that provides guidance to the SFPUC and the SF Board of Supervisors regarding strategic, financial and capital improvement plans, programming and operations for the Southeast Community Facility (SECF) and Greenhouses. The SECFC also promotes and advocates for special services and the improvement of the general economic, health, safety and welfare of residents in San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods. The Commission partners with community members to form committees that play a unique role

The Power Subcommittee shall review power generation and transmission system reliability and improvement programs, including but not limited to facilities siting and alternatives energy programs, as well as other relevant plans, programs, and policies. The Power Subcommittee meets a minimum of four times a year. Meetings of the subcommittee are held the second Tuesday of the scheduled month , 5:30 - 7:00 PM, 525 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor Tuolumne Conference Room, unless otherwise noticed. Please refer to the agendas for details on how to attend a meeting. If you would like to request items

The Wastewater Subcommittee shall review sewage and stormwater collection, treatment, and disposal system replacement, recycling, and other relevant plans, programs, and policies. The Wastewater Subcommittee meets a minimum of four times a year. Meetings of the subcommittee are held the second Tuesday of the scheduled month , 5:30 - 7:00 PM, 525 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor Tuolumne Conference Room, unless otherwise noticed. Please refer to the agendas for details on how to attend a meeting. If you would like to request items that are not listed on this page, please call (415) 680-6683 or

The Water Subcommittee reviews water supply system reliability, water conservation, recycling, regional cooperation efforts and other relevant plans and policies. The Water Subcommittee meets a minimum of four times a year. Meetings of the Water Subcommittee are held the fourth Tuesday of the scheduled month , 5:30 - 7:00 P.M., 525 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor Tuolumne Conference Room. Please refer to the agendas for details on how to attend a meeting. If you would like to request items that are not listed on this page, please call (415) 680-6683 or email CAC@sfwater.org 2024 Agendas 2024

Our plans help protect and sustain San Francisco's high quality water now and in the future. 2008 Water Quality Protection Plan San Francisco's Water Quality Protection Plan makes recommendations to protect and improve San Francisco's high quality water into the future. 2009 Strategic Planning Strategic Planning for San Francisco's Water Quality Future provides an overview of the strategic planning process, context of activities currently underway within the Water Quality Division, and recommended priority actions to be carried forward. 2016 Strategic Planning The Water Quality Strategic Plan