Have you ever wondered what happens to the dirty water from your shower, bath, laundry and toilet after it goes down the drain? What about the runoff from lawns and gardens, and rainwater and car washing? San Francisco Water, Power and Sewer invites you to take a tour of one of our Wastewater Treatment Plants (Plant) to find out how we get dirty water clean again!
Resident Tours
Available monthly, one Saturday each month at 10:00 am, on a first-come-first-serve basis for up to a maximum of 35 people – including adults and children at least 10 years of age. Tour attendees must submit a completed Tour Request Form. All tour attendees over 18 years of age must present a current California Drivers License or ID card, US Passport, or other photo ID at the plant on the day of the tour.
Group Tours
Available for professional groups, industry specific visitors on a case-by-case basis, Tuesday and Thursday, at 10:00 am. Groups must submit a complete Tour Request Form. All tour attendees over 18 years of age must present a current California Drivers License or ID card, US Passport, or other photo ID at the plant on the day of the tour.
School Group Tours
Available for San Francisco public and private school students’ who are in the 4th grade and at least 10 years old, on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am. School group tours must include chaperones at a 1:5 ratio. School groups must submit a completed School Group Tour Request Form at least two (2) weeks in advance and are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please be advised that due to security issues, San Francisco Water, Power and Sewer reserves the right to refuse anyone from taking part in a tour.
Tour Specifics
- We offer tours to two of our wastewater treatment plants.
- Our plant tours are FREE of charge.
- Open to all San Francisco residents 10 years old and above.
- Tour takes 1 to 3 hours to complete depending on the level of detail requested.
- Limited to groups of 35 people or less.
Tour Safety - For All Tours
The plants are functioning industrial sites in operation 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. Hard hats are provided for you and must be worn at all times while on tour. Sturdy closed shoes and socks, long pants or long skirts are required for both your safety and comfort.
NO flip-flops, sandals, clogs, open shoes, open toe shoes, shorts, short pants, or skirts.
Special Needs
While these tours involve quite a bit of walking, climbing of numerous stairs, and going underground in tight hallways and tunnels, we can change the route to accommodate wheel chairs, canes and walkers. We have no facilities for, and cannot accommodate young children, infants, or strollers.
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Oceanside Water Pollution
Control Plant
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- Located in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset District, 3500 Great Highway, 94132
- Monthly San Francisco resident tours available at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and take approximately 2 hours
- 2012 Tour Dates:
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January 21*
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February 11
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March 10
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April 14
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May 12
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June 9
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July 14
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August 11
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September 8
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October 13
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November 17*
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December 8
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* All tours are on the 2nd Saturday of each month except for January & November tours which will take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
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Southeast Water Pollution
Control Plant
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- Located in San Francisco’s Bayview District, 750 Phelps Street, 94124
- Tours available upon special request with a group of at least 12 residents.
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We reserve the Right to Cancel Tours Should a Plant or City Emergency Arise