Aging Water Systems. San Francisco is working to improve its outdated water infrastructure, but sewage is spilling, pipes are breaking and treatment plants are stinking. 

•    Old collection system. San Francisco has one of the nation’s oldest collection systems
-    70 percent of its sewers are over 70 years old, some as old as 150 years
-    70 miles of sewers are undersized and need replacement

•    Sewage overflows. The old combined wastewater and stormwater system cannot handle heavy rains and frequently floods low-lying communities, but improvement projects have helped to reduce the number of sewage spills.
-    In October 2004, a strong storm swept the city, overburdening the sewer system in the Sunset District. Manhole covers popped and toilets overflowed. A foot and a half of wastewater rushed down streets, driveways and basements.
-    Before the 1970s, the city had around 80 overflows a year; now it has around 10 over-flows a year

•    Pipeline replacements. As the 70-year-old sewer lines crumble, the city must make nearly 500 repairs each year, such as replacing mains, patching breaks and dealing with cave-ins.

•    Treatment plant stench. Built in the 1950s, the Southeast wastewater treatment plant emits a revolting stench on hot days.  

•    Watershed quality problems. EPA’s most recent assessment of the San Pablo Bay and the San Francisco Bay watersheds found 71 unique impairments to water quality, including contaminated sediments, pathogens and trash.

Infrastructure Costs. The water and sewer systems need several billion dollars worth of improvements over the next few years.

•    $4 billion wastewater system capital improvement plan 

•    $4.3 billion water system improvement plan, includes 75 projects that should be completed by the end of 2015

Rate Hikes. While surely worthwhile, these upgrades come at a hefty price – paid mostly from the pockets of San Franciscans. The city has had to hike sewer rates to pay for the projects.

•    13 percent wastewater rate, 15 percent water rate increase in 2005

•    13 percent wastewater rate, 15 percent water rate increase in 2006

•    9 percent water and sewer rate increase in 2007

•    10 percent water and sewer rate increase in 2008

Great drinking water quality. San Francisco has great drinking water.

•    In a nationwide water quality test, chemists found no contaminants at all in San Francisco drinking water. The American Waterworks Association Research Foundation tested 20 of the nation’s water systems for 60 compounds found in medicines, household cleaners and cosmetics.

•    Recognizing the high quality and relatively low price of San Francisco’s water, at least 25 San Francisco restaurants are taking back the tap and kicking bottled water off their menus. See full list.