On a non-rainy day, 80 million gallons of wastewater travel through the sewer system by gravity to one of two wastewater treatment plants. On a rainy day, this figure jumps up to 500 million gallons a day. Neighborhoods on the west side of the City like the Richmond and Sunset Districts have their wastewater treated at the Oceanside Plant next to the San Francisco Zoo. Neighborhoods on the east side like Chinatown, NorthBeach and Bayview are treated at the Southeast Plant located near Third and Evans streets. A third plant, the North Point Facility on Bay Street, operates only during rainy weather to provide additional treatment capability.
Take a Tour!
The SFPUC is offering tours of the wastewater treatment plants on the third Saturday of every month to San Francisco residents. This is a fun, educational experience for adults and children where the different treatment processes can be seen firsthand. Click here for more details or to download the form and to sign up.
Treatment Process
Wastewater and storm water undergo several treatment steps to remove solid wastes (biosolids) and harmful pollutants. Cleaned water is then discharged into the San Francisco Bay or Pacific Ocean. Solid wastes are separated and undergo a different treatment process.
Click here for additional details on the treatment process.
