New Headworks Facility
Overview
Sewer System Upgrades
Built in 1952, the Southeast Treatment Plant is the City’s largest wastewater treatment facility, handling nearly 80% of San Francisco’s combined stormwater and wastewater every year. It is essential to protecting public health and the environment, but many of its facilities were outdated, seismically vulnerable, and at risk of sea level rise before the SFPUC initiated major upgrades. The SFPUC is investing over $5 billion in critical upgrades that are transforming this treatment plant into a resilient, modern resource recovery center.
What is the Headworks Facility?
The Headworks Facility is where stormwater and wastewater flows enter the treatment plant, and debris (such as bricks) and grit (like sand) are removed. This process is critical to protecting downstream equipment, helping control odors, and ensuring the plant can operate efficiently – saving ratepayer dollars.
New Headworks Facility
The new $717 million Headworks Facility replaces and consolidates two former headworks operations at the Southeast Treatment Plant. It also includes improvements to the Bruce Flynn Wet Weather Pump Station, enabling it to operate year-round and ensure our system continues to protect public health and San Francisco Bay.
On average, the new Headworks Facility treats about 45 million gallons of wastewater per day, enough to fill 68 Olympic-sized swimming pools. During storms, it can handle flows that surge to more than 5.5 times that amount – as much as 250 million gallons per day.
Construction Updates (Summer 2025)
Evans Avenue Restoration
As part of the New Headworks Facilities Project, crews have begun on the demolition of the last portion of the old Headworks building on the northwest side of the Southeast Treatment Plant. This 50 million gallons per day wastewater facility was deemed redundant with the successful completion and activation of the new 250 million gallon Headworks Facility that completed construction earlier this year. Demolition of this decommissioned facility is expect to be completed by late Fall 2025.
Questions? Contact our team by calling our hotline at (415) 551-4SEP (4737) or email ssip@sfwater.org.
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Project Background
Eighty percent of San Francisco’s combined storm and wastewater is handled at the Southeast Treatment Plant every year. The Headworks Facility at the Southeast Treatment Plant in the Bayview plays a vital role by removing trash and debris at the beginning of the treatment process. Wastewater then flows through tanks that allow grit, like sand, to settle. The Headworks Facility protects downstream equipment to make the entire system more efficient.
Being a good neighbor also means maximizing control of odors! The Southeast Treatment Plant was built in 1952 and was not originally designed to control odors. A major component of the New Headworks Facility includes a state-of-the-art system to minimize odors using advanced odor control equipment. Watch this video to learn more about how this project enhances odor control.
Additionally, the New Headworks Project includes a newly completed art wall titled Whorl Whirl: Our Circular Nature by the noted artist Norie Sato which draws inspiration from resource recovery processes and infrastructure at the Southeast Treatment Plant. The 335-feet long and 35-feet high artwork installation runs along the north perimeter of the New Headworks facility on Evans Avenue between Rankin and Quint streets.
Benefits
The new Headworks Facility provides significant operational functional improvements to this critical facility:
- Protects public health and the environment.
- Improves long-term reliability and reduces maintenance costs, saving ratepayer dollars.
- Reduces odors using advanced odor technology.
- Built to withstand a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
- Removes grit with 95% efficiency – a 45% improvement over the previous system.
- Features public art wall to enhance neighborhood vibrancy.
- Exceeded local hiring requirements and awarded contracts to local businesses, supporting jobs and community investment.
- Employed 615 San Francisco residents who collectively worked 414,000 hours and earned $34 million in wages and benefits.
Achievements
- Water Environment Federation: Project Excellence Award 2025
- Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure: Envision Gold Award Winner 2019
Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. California's Clean Water State Revolving Fund is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state bond proceeds. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the foregoing, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Office Hours and Contact Information
We want to hear from you. Use any of the below methods to connect with our team!
Construction Hotline: (415) 551-4737; after hours call 3-1-1
Email: ssip@sfwater.org
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What to Expect During Construction
- Noise: Noise, vibration, dust, and traffic impacts in the work zone
- Access: Residents near the work zone will maintain access to their homes and businesses
- Construction Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with occasional weekend work from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Residents and businesses will be notified in advance when weekend, nighttime, holiday or 24-hour work is required
- Transportation Impacts: Streets will be open for traffic throughout construction, with optional detour routes available. Delays should be expected. No impacts to Muni service are expected at this time
- Parking Impacts: Staging of materials and equipment in the parking lane on the southside of Evans Avenue between Rankin Street and Quint Street continues. This condition is anticipated to remain until 2023
- Sewer Service: No interruptions to sewer service will occur during construction
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Project Materials
New Mural by Afatasi The Artist Showcases Her Community’s Experience, History, and Cultural Identity
Biosolids Facilities Project Page
The New Headworks Project is being constructed at the Southeast Treatment Plant along with the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project. To learn more visit, sfpuc.gov/digesters.
Combined, both projects will upgrade and modernize these aging facilities with more reliable, efficient, and modern technologies and facilities.