New Headworks Facility
Overview
Built in 1952, the Southeast Treatment Plant is the City's largest wastewater treatment facility handling nearly 80% of San Francisco's combined storm and wastewater every year, however, many of its facilities are past their useful life and generate odors that impact the neighborhood.
The SFPUC is investing over $3 billion in critical upgrades transform this facility in the Bayview into a modern resource recovery center, including construction of the New Headworks Project. By doing so, we will continue to protect our communities and the environment while creating an attractive workplace and neighborhood asset that serves the entire City for decades to come.
When complete, the plant will work better, look better, and smell better for the neighborhood, our staff, and the entire City!
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
What the New Headworks Project Does
80% of San Francisco’s combined storm and wastewater is handled at the Southeast Treatment Plant every year and 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. When complete, the New Headworks Facility will better protect 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. Click on the video (see right) 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. Click on the picture and read more about the artist (see right for both) to learn more.
Project Benefits
This project will provide significant operational functional improvements to this critical facility:
- Increase efficiency of treatment processes and protect downstream equipment
- Improve the ability for these critical facilities to withstand a 7.8 earthquake on the San Andres Fault
- Ensure these critical facilities can prepare for the possibility of expected sea level rise of 36 inches by 2100
- Continue to protect public health and the environment
- Minimize odors using advanced odor control equipment
- Improve operational reliability and flexibility
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.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES (Winter 2024-2025)
Work continued on the New Headworks Project in 2024 and the facility was placed in-service on August 5, 2024. As of January 7, 2025, the New Headworks has processed approximately 9 billion gallons of combined storm and sewer water flows.
2024 also saw the completion of the new public art wall titled Whorl Whirl: Our Circular Nature by the noted artist Nore Sato. The 335-feet long and 35-feet high artwork installation - which draws inspiration from resource recovery processes and infrastructure at the Southeast Treatment Plan - runs along the north perimeter of the New Headworks Facility on Evans Avenue between Rankin and Quint streets.
Work continues in 2025 on distributed control system testing, Evans streetscape restoration, Southeast Influent Pumping, fire alarm testing, and completing work on elevators inside the facility.
The New Headworks Project is anticipated to reach final completion in June 2025.
Visit the Southeast Treatment Plant Construction page for updates.
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.