Last seismic improvement pipeline project approved for Hetch Hetchy Water System

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) approved the $42.5 million Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade Project (PPSU). The project will repair and replace sections of several water delivery pipelines located in northern San Mateo County to ensure these critical pipelines can withstand a major earthquake. The San Francisco Planning Commission approved the project’s Environmental Impact Report on October 17, and the SFPUC’s actions will send the project to bid. This is the last water pipeline improvement project to move into construction of the more than 80 infrastructure projects as part of the $4.6 billion Water System Improvement Program (WSIP).

“Each project further improves the overall resiliency and seismic reliability of the entire Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan Kelly, Jr. “This new Peninsula pipeline project will provide the residents and businesses of northern San Mateo County and San Francisco even more assurance that water will be available for firefighting and basic needs following an earthquake.”

The engineers’ estimate for construction on this project is approximately $20 million, and construction is slated to start in early 2014 with anticipated completion in 2015. Once completed, these pipelines will be connected to the newly upgraded Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant, which recently reached 50 percent completion for ongoing construction activities.

The PPSU project approval is one of three major milestones that took place this month for the WSIP, following the hole-through at New Irvington Tunnel in Sunol and the completion of water pipe installation in the Bay Tunnel beneath San Francisco Bay.

The program is designed to seismically upgrade vulnerable infrastructure near active earthquake faults and ensures 2.6 million Bay Area customers have a reliable water supply following an emergency. The WSIP is currently more than 75 percent complete.

For more information about the PPSU project or progress on other WSIP projects, visit www.sfwater.org/WSIP or follow the SFPUC on Facebook or Twitter @WSIPintheNews.