Emergency Firefighting Water System
Following an earthquake, the San Francisco Emergency Firefighting Water System is vital for protecting against the loss of life, as well as the loss of homes and businesses by providing an additional layer of fire protection. The system is also used throughout the year for the suppression of multiple-alarm fires. The system delivers water at high pressure and includes two pump stations, two storage tanks, one reservoir, and approximately 135 miles of pipes. The system includes 52 suction connections along the northeastern waterfront, which allow fire engines to pump water from San Francisco Bay, and two fireboats that supply seawater by pumping into any of the five manifolds connected to pipes.
The next planned addition to the system will be constructed in stages on the Westside of San Francisco. Visit the Westside Emergency Firefighting Water System project page for the most up to date information.
| The SFPUC's EFWS Capital Project Team, in collaboration with the San Francisco Fire Department and San Francisco Public Works, have completed the following EFWS construction projects, utilizing Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond funds: | |
| EFWS Completed Construction Projects as of February 2026 | |
| Ashbury Bypass Pipeline | Constructed pipeline by-pass near Ashbury Tank |
| Ashbury Tank | Constructed new Ashbury Tank |
| Candlestick Point-Carroll Ave. Pipeline | Installed new pipeline in Candlestick Point/Carroll Ave. area |
| Cisterns | Constructed 30 new cisterns for fire fighting purposes, 15 of which were in the Western neighborhoods. |
| Columbus and Green Pipeline | Installed new pipeline project at Columbus Ave. and Green St. intersection |
| Control System | Installed new electronic control system |
| Irving Street Pipeline | Installed new pipeline on Irving Street |
| Jones Street Tank | Completed Jones Street Tank structural improvements |
| Jones Street Tank Valves | Motorized Jones Street Tank water valves |
| Mariposa-Terry Francois Blvd. Pipeline | Installed new pipeline in the southern portion of Terry Francois Blvd. and on Mariposa Street |
| Pump Station #1 | Installed new diesel engines and electrical generator for Pump Station #1 seawater pumps |
| Pump Station #2 | Completed seismic retrofit of the pump station’s building foundation, walls, roof, and associated structures, as well as various ventilation, utility, electrical, and architectural improvements. Pumping Station No. 2, constructed in 1912 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at the northernmost end of Van Ness Avenue, in the northeast corner of the Fort Mason Historic District. This StoryMap provides a history and photo documentation of the pump station and the City’s Auxiliary Water Supply System (now known as the Emergency Firefighting Water System). |
| Twin Peaks 16" Supply Pipeline | Constructed new pipeline feeding Twin Peaks Reservoir from adjacent street water pipeline |
| Twin Peaks Reservoir | Completed improvements to Twin Peaks Reservoir, including joint sealing |
Video courtesy of ABC7 News Bay Area