Arborists Finish Tree Cutting above Key Water Pipeline in Junipero Serra County Park

Our arborists have finished clearing the trees from above a major drinking water pipeline that runs through Junipero Serra County Park in San Bruno. The effects should not be particularly noticeable to park users or nearby residents.

The trees had sprouted naturally over the decades along the pipeline corridor, and their removal was in preparation for pending essential repairs to 90-year-old San Andreas Pipeline #2. The work was largely confined to the pipeline corridor, with trees left in place on either side so that most of the cleared area is screened from view. 

Since large trees and their roots can damage a pipeline and prevent our crews from accessing it for future repair or maintenance, we will not be planting replacement trees on the same corridor. Instead, we’ll hydroseed the disturbed areas and, plant native shrubs for additional screening if needed. New replacement trees will be planted elsewhere in the park at the Park Department’s direction after the pipeline work is completed.

The aging 54-inch pipeline serves approximately a million people in northern San Mateo County and the city of San Francisco. 

And Here's How It Used To Be

Here’s what the area looked like in 1928, when the San Andreas Pipeline #2 began operation. The small temple-style building is the pipeline valve house, now located inside the 1972 Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant just west of Junipero Serra Park.