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INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: September 14, 2023
To: Commissioner Newsha Ajami
President, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
From: Dennis J. Herrera
General Manager
Subject: Declaration of Emergency – Fillmore and Green 16” Water Main Break
In accordance with Chapter 6, Article IV, Section 6.60(d) of the San Francisco Administrative Code, I am declaring an emergency on behalf of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).
In the early morning hours of September 11, 2023, a 16” water transmission main installed in 1949 in the intersection of Fillmore and Green Streets failed.
The resulting release of water damaged the 8” water distribution main in Fillmore, and subsequent failure of the street base and pavement on Fillmore from the intersection with Green down to the crosswalk of the Union Street intersection. The displacement of sand and mud caused complete collapse of sections of Fillmore with voids of up to 10 feet in depth and failure of the sewer main and sewer laterals from the Fillmore and Green intersection along Fillmore to the Union intersection. The flow of water from the Fillmore and Green intersection buckled sidewalks on Fillmore near Union and inundated a number of resident garages and basements, as well as businesses along Green, Steiner, Fillmore, and Union with displaced sand and mud.
Under Administrative Code section 6.60, an "actual emergency" means a sudden, unforeseeable, and unexpected occurrence involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. The water main break resulted in disruption of water and sewer services as well as interruption of gas service to customers on Fillmore Street. Restoration of Fillmore Street between Green and Union will likely take weeks. In addition, properties downhill from the main break on several other blocks were damaged.
This request for an emergency declaration is for contract resources to perform sewer main, water main, and street repairs on Fillmore Street. The work must be completed as soon as possible and is beyond the capabilities of City forces.
We currently estimate the cost of the remediation work not-to-exceed $5,000,000.
I am therefore declaring the existence of an emergency. I trust that this meets with your concurrence and approval.
CONCUR AND APPROVE:
Newsha Ajami – President
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
cc: S. Maxwell
T. Paulson
T. Rivera
K. Stacy
R. Flynn
S. Ritchie
S. Robinson
N. Hom