The system map below is a schematic drawing of the major wastewater control facilities. San Francisco has nearly 900 miles of sewers, three treatment plants, 36 overflow points, four outfalls, and 17 pump stations. The long box-like structures are underground storage/ transport tunnels. The Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant near Third Street and Evans Avenue treats sewage from the eastern side of the City. The Oceanside plant located near the Zoo treats sewage from the western side. Both plants provide full secondary treatment to the majority of storms throughout the wet weather season.
During storms, operators more than double the normal rate of waste treatment in order to treat wet weather flows. The Oceanside Plant has the capacity to treat 65 MGD of combined storm water and wastewater during wet weather conditions. Up to 43 MGD receive secondary treatment, and the remaining flow receives primary treatment.The Southeast Plant provides secondary treatment to the first 150 million gallons per day (mgd) and primary treatment to the next 100 mgd. The operators also start up the North Point Facility during wet weather to provide primary-level treatment for combined storm flows. All storm water receives treatment in the storage/transport boxes.
Click on each item to learn more about the way the wastewater system works in San Francisco...
