For more than 120 years, the Richmond District’s water and sewer systems have served the neighborhood and beyond. With many of the sewer pipes and water pipes installed in the late 1800s, it was time for a modern upgrade to ensure Richmond District residents and businesses have clean, reliable drinking water and flushing toilets for the next century.

In January 2025, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) began construction to modernize the Richmond District’s water and sewer infrastructure along Geary Boulevard from 32nd Avenue to Stanyan Street. In late 2026, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will join the project to add above-ground pedestrian safety and bus improvements along the two-mile corridor to make it safer and easier for people to get where they’re going.

By tackling this $50 million sewer and water project all at once, we aim to minimize community disruptions while making the upgrades the Richmond District needs for reliable water and sewer service.

Improvements Are Underway

Work crews have been making great progress and have completed the replacement of the sewer main in Segment A (32nd Avenue to 12th Avenue) using open-cut construction methods. This approach involves excavating the road surface to access and replace the old pipe. Open-cut construction is typically used for sewer pipelines when the existing pipes are significantly damaged or need to be relocated or upsized, and for water pipelines when maintaining service is necessary until the new pipes are operational.

Trenchless sewer rehabilitation will be performed later this year. It’s less disruptive because it doesn’t require digging – crews insert a new liner into the existing pipe through manholes or other access points. This method works best when the existing pipe can be repaired in place.

Crews are also replacing the lower sections of sewer laterals that are old and no longer working properly. A sewer lateral is the pipe that connects the plumbing in your home or business with the city’s main sewer line. The lower lateral is the section of pipe from the curb to the sewer main in the street.

These sewer upgrades will make the system more reliable, handle more flow, and help prevent flooding and backups for homes and businesses. 

The water system upgrades are just as critical. Crews have started replacing both the 8-inch water distribution line and 16-inch transmission line on the south side of Geary Boulevard in Segment A. These pipelines serve the entire Richmond District, and will improve water reliability for homes and businesses, and will improve water flows for firefighting. 

Water main installation work is progressing rapidly. For Segment A, crews are nearing completion of the installation of the 16-inch transmission line, while approximately 50% of the 8-inch distribution line has been installed along the south side of Geary. As the new pipes are installed, they are being pressure tested and disinfected. Once that process is complete, City crews will place the new water mains into service and will work to connect customers to the newly installed water main in a time and manner that limits disruption to water service. 

Your ratepayer dollars make these essential sewer and water service improvements possible. Learn more at sfpuc.gov/rates.

What to Expect During Construction

• Parking: Street parking will be temporarily restricted in the project area during construction hours. “No-parking” signs will be posted 24 hours in advance at metered spaces and 72 hours in advance in non-metered spaces. Please see posted signs for exact workdays, hours, and locations.
• Traffic: Lane closures in the project area are necessary to ensure safety of workers and the public. 
• Access: Businesses and residents will maintain access to their entrances and driveways, with possible temporary delays. 
• Noise: Neighbors should expect some noise, dust, and vibrations. The contractor will abide by the city’s noise, dust, and vibration ordinances, and the SFPUC is independently monitoring noise and vibration levels to ensure compliance. 
• Night Work: To avoid disrupting water service for merchants along the Geary corridor, City crews will perform some night work to connect water services to the new pipelines, ensuring minimal impact on businesses operating during daytime hours. 
• Muni: Bus stops in active work zones may be temporarily relocated, with signs posted.

Supporting Local Businesses

As the SFPUC upgrades aging water and sewer pipelines in the Richmond District, we’re listening to local community and merchants to understand their concerns and do our best to reduce the impacts of construction. Please support local businesses on Geary Boulevard and around the neighborhood during construction! Whether you’re in the mood for tasty food, unique gifts, or local entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy along this corridor.

Stay Informed

To see how we’re progressing and what work is left at any given location, check our construction map and sign up for updates at sfpuc.gov/Geary. 

For questions or comments, contact: GearyUpgrades@sfwater.org or (415) 554-3258.