DRAFT Sewer System Upgrades
Keeping San Francisco Healthy
Water and sewer systems are vital to public health. Everyone needs clean water and functioning plumbing. San Francisco's sewer system protects public health and the environment by safely collecting and treating wastewater and stormwater 24/7/365. Many parts of our sewer system are over 100 years old. We are making upgrades now so our sewer system continue to work safely and reliably for generations to come.
Clean Water and Reliable Plumbing are Essential to Public Health
San Francisco's sewer system is old. Some parts were built before modern plumbing or seismic standards existed. Delaying these repairs now will only make these upgrades more expensive later.
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Upgrades are Underway
We are upgrading and modernizing San Francisco's Combined sewer system today to meet the growing needs of tomorrow and beyond. View a list of all projects underway.
- Aging pipes: Replacing and repairing old sewer pipes to prevent backups and breaks. Learn more about how we deliver these upgrades across San Francisco, starting with our program of cleaning and inspection.
- Stormwater protection: Reducing flooding during stronger and more frequent storms.
- One key area of investment includes enhancing flood resilience across the City through operational improvements, capital projects, and resources to help the public prepare for and recover from intense but inevitable storm events. Two key projects include the Folsom Areas Stormwater Improvement Project and the Lower Alemany Area Stormwater Improvement Project.
- Earthquake safety: Upgrading facilities so service can resume within 72 hours after a major earthquake, including important upgrades to our largest wastewater treatment plant.
- Water quality: Improving how wastewater and stormwater are collected and treated to protect the Bay and Ocean, and one major upgrades nearing completion is the new treatment facility at Treasure Island.
- Ratepayer affordability: Efficiently allocating our limited resources to programs and projects that protect public health and the environment.
Utilities across the country face the same need to repair and replace aging systems, may of which were built decades ago with federal dollars. Now, there is little help from the federal government. We are largely on our own to make needed investments.
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How We Pay for this Work and Deliver these Upgrades
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is a not-for-profit public utility. Rates pay for the real cost of operating, maintaining, and upgrading the sewer system - nothing more. Taking action today helps avoid larger repairs and higher costs in the future.
Help is available for customers who need assistance paying for their bills.
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Where Does Wastewater Go?
Every time you flush the toilet, take a shower, brush your teeth, do your laundry, or wash the dishes, the resulting wastewater is collected and treated by the City's sewer system.
Click here to learn how San Francisco collects and treats sewage from homes and businesses, stormwater (rainwater), and street runoff into the drains.
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Resources and Reports
The Wastewater Enterprise CIP Quarterly Report provides a consistent, transparent, and accessible snapshot of progress on major wastewater capital projects during the reporting year. Its purpose is to inform the SFPUC Commission, Finance stakeholders, and the public on how the program is performing. See the most recent reports linked below.- WWE-CIP Quarterly Report FY25-26 Quarter 3
- WWE-CIP Quarterly Report FY25-26 Quarter 2
- WWE-CIP Quarterly Report FY25-26 Quarter 1
- WWE-CIP Quarterly Report FY24-25 Quarter 4
For more information on our Water and Power enterprises, click the links below.