Happy Holidays from the Hetch Hetchy Water System

Warmest wishes of the season from our family to yours!

11 million gallon Treated Water Reservoir, December 2012

Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant work crews will observe holidays on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Only light construction will be performed the week of December 23^rd.

11 million gallon Treated Water Reservoir, December 2013

The Crane’s Eye View

By mid-December, the Harry Tracy Water Treatment project will conclude two months of intensive work on new pipeline segments and upgrades to the treatment plant.  During this period regular operations have been suspended.  The project is over 65% complete, thanks in part to the swing shift started earlier this year to complete the new treated water reservoir. When the Plant comes back online later this month, the swing shift is expected to conclude. Extended hours and swing shifts may again be required in the future to stay on schedule or due to the demands of the work.

Photos by Robin Scheswohl, SFPUC

Work will continue throughout the Plant from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. including most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Steel-reinforced concrete columns are currently being constructed inside the new 11 million gallon treated water reservoir (photo above). The yellow metal forms are reused after each column has hardened. The columns will soon support a reinforced concrete roof. Waterproofing and water quality testing will follow before placing the new reservoir into service. 

Meanwhile construction of the reservoir walls is almost finished. The inner wall is more than 75% formed, and the outer wall is now complete except for a temporary opening for equipment and materials.

These new below-grade filters will increase our reliability 

to process raw water into drinking water.

What to Expect

• Building materials are delivered via Crystal Springs Road in San Bruno. Flaggers control truck traffic at the Plant gate and pilot cars escort trucks along the road for safety.
• Truck off-hauls occasionally begin at 7:00 a.m.
• Noise levels are monitored to maintain compliance with local ordinances.

The contractor is working to minimize disruption to our neighbors. Please don’t hesitate to call our 24-hour phone line at (866) 973-1476, or email peninsula@sfwater.org with questions or suggestions.

Warm Winter Wishes

Happy Holidays!

As we look back over 2013 we’d like to say “Thank You” to our neighbors for your cooperation in our work to upgrade the aging Hetch Hetchy Water System. We send you wishes for warmth, happiness and delicious clean water this holiday season and beyond.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

All our best,

The Water System Improvement Program, Peninsula region

Helen Drive Work Update

Work will be concluding on schedule in mid-December for the seismic upgrade of the water pipeline located underground behind Meadows School in Millbrae. The project included excavation, welding and concrete placement for “sliplining”, placing a new steel pipe inside the existing pipe. The contractor is now preparing the pipeline to be put into service.



Sliplining old 60" pipe with new 48" pipe, using a crane and casters



Work hours: 7:00am - 7:00pm   Expected completion date: Dec. 15^th, 2013

The Contractor has successfully completed leak testing the pipeline with the new 48” slipline. The grouting between the new liner and the existing pipe was completed the week of Thanksgiving.  

Neighbors may notice the discharge of large volumes of water down storm drains on Helen Drive. Unfortunately the water can’t be delivered to the public nor reused for other testing after it leaves the pipe, due to water quality regulations. This “dewatering” will be monitored so flooding will not occur.  In addition, construction traffic will continue on Helen Dr.  Pilot cars will escort trucks for safety and flaggers will be stationed on Helen Dr. as needed.

We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work to improve your regional drinking water system.  We invite you to call our 24-hour phone line at (866) 973-1476 or email us at peninsula@sfwater.org with questions or concerns.

Project Description

Our contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., is working in multiple areas within the Harry Tracy Plant, part of the Hetch Hetchy Water System Improvement Program. Seismic retrofits and electrical upgrades will allow us to reliably provide up to 140 million gallons of water per day, for 60 days, within 24 hours of a major earthquake.

Last Seismic Improvement Pipeline Project Approved for Hetch Hetchy Water System

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has 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 yesterday 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). 

“When completed, the newly upgraded pipelines will provide the residents and businesses of northern San Mateo County and San Francisco even more assurance that water will be available for firefighting, drinking and operational use following an earthquake,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan Kelly, Jr.

For the full story, visit our our website.

Emergency Preparedness Month

The First 72 Hours
This October, take time to engage in your community, discuss ideas and plans, and prepare for an emergency or natural disaster. The SFPUC’s Emergency Preparedness Month encourages all San Francisco-area residents to become more aware and prepared for the next emergency, which is almost certain to take place in our lifetimes. The first 72 hours after an emergency are often the times when community members come together to help each other out. If we prepare beforehand, we’ll be better off when an emergency occurs.

What can you do?
Meet with your family, neighbors and community organizers to get connected, develop a plan and share resources. Use SF72.org and sfwater.org/BePrepared as starting points. You’ll find tips, guidelines for supplies, a mobile app and   stories from real San Franciscans.

This is our city
SF72.org was developed by San Francisco for San Francisco. Let’s protect each other and our city by using our resources and knowledge to the fullest when an emergency strikes.

Our community members are not the only ones getting prepared. The SFPUC has been improving and renovating our regional water system to ensure a safe and reliable water supply. Although San Francisco will always need to rely on this imported water from the Sierras, we are also developing additional water supplies that can be used in the event that our regional system is disrupted. For example, we are developing local wells in San Francisco to blend high-quality groundwater with our imported water supplies, and we’re producing recycled water for non-drinking purposes to reduce the amount of drinking water currently used in these ways.

Check www.sf72.org or www.sfwater.org/BePrepared for more information. 

 

Pipeline Upgrade in Millbrae Reaches Final Phase

This fall, the contractor is working on the final phase to seismically upgrade the water pipeline located underground along the hillside behind Meadows School in Millbrae.  This pipeline conveys drinking water from the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant to the Peninsula.  

Phase 2 of pipeline upgrade 

Project Schedule 

Phase 1: Completed in June 2013.

Phase 2: Completed in August 2013.

Phase 3: October 1^st – December 15^th (dates subject to change). 

Equipment mobilization and material delivery will begin the week of October 1.

This phase includes excavation, welding and concrete placement for “sliplining”, placing a new steel pipe inside the existing pipe.  

Work hours will be 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Construction truck traffic can be expected. This will be the most intense phase of construction.

We are coordinating our work around Meadows School and Happy Hall’s drop-off and pick-up schedules for safety and convenience. 

We aim to minimize construction impacts to the surrounding neighborhood and schools. We apologize in advance for any disturbance or inconvenience and invite you to call our 24-hour phone line at 

(866) 973-1476 or email us at peninsula@sfwater.org with questions or concerns. Visit the project website at www.sfwater.org/Peninsula for more information.

Project Description

Our contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., is working in multiple areas within the Harry Tracy Plant, part of the Hetch Hetchy Water System Improvement Program. Seismic retrofits and electrical upgrades will allow us to reliably provide up to 140 million gallons of water per day, for 60 days, within 24 hours of a major earthquake. Harry Tracy serves several communities on the Peninsula in addition to San Francisco.