Daniel L. Lurie
Ma yo r
Kate H. Stacy
President
Joshua Arce
Vice President
Avnl Jamdar
Commissioner
Steve Leveront
Commissioner
Dennis J. Herrera
General Manager
San Francisco
Water dower Sewer Services of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
SAN FRANCISCO WATER DIVISION
1990 Newcomb Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
T 415.550.4900
DATE:
TO:
THROUGH:
FROM:
February 18, 2025
Commissioner Kate H. Stacy, President
Commissioner Joshua Arce, Vice President
Commissioner Avni Jamdar
Commissioner Steven E. Leveroni
Dennis J. Herrera, General Manag
Steven R. Ritchie, Assistant Generaflvthager, Water
Bill Teahan, San Francisco Water Division Manager
Angela Cheung, Water Supply and Treatment Division Manager Andrew DeGraca, Water Quality Division Manager
SUBJECT: Water Pipeline Assessment: January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 Purpose
This memorandum covers maintenance and construction activities that the San Francisco Water Division (SFWD), Water Supply and Treatment Division (WSTD), and Water Quality Division (WQD) performed to the linear assets between January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
This report includes five sections below:
1 The Lead User Service Line Program
• In 2024, 350 services have been replaced under WD-2889, "As-Needed Water Service Line Replacement Project."
2 Local Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
• 5.1 miles of Local Water System distribution and transmission pipelines were installed and placed into service.
• 0.7 miles of 36-inch welded steel Potable Emergency Firefighting Water System (PEFWS) pipeline along 19th Ave and Vicente St was installed and placed into service. • Construction of a new Emergency Firefighting Water System (EFWS) water supply and pipeline near the crest of Clarendon Ave at Dellbrook Ave was completed. 3 Regional Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
• Construction on the Bay Division Pipelines (BDPL) 3 and 4 sliplining under new Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Santa Clara was completed. The BDPL 3 and 4 were returned to service and the project is in closeout.
4 Regional Pipeline Inspection Programs
• The Sunset Supply Pipeline was taken out of service for inspection in January 2024.
After a fire incident in the pipeline cut the inspection short and repairs to defects found during inspection were made, the SSPL was returned to service in November 2024. • WSTD completed the inspection and condition assessment of the Palo Alto Pipeline. 5 Local and Regional Water Pipeline Failures
• There were 129 natural main breaks (not construction-related) in the Local Water System and 3 pipeline leaks in the Regional Water System during this reporting period.
OUR MISSION: To provide our customers with high-quality, efficient and reliable water, power and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
LEGEND
6 Lead Whip
C;_., No Lead Viiip
Treasure/Yerba Buena Isiand - LSLR Data
Managed by TIDA
6 6 4) (F6 (C)6k
•
46i ' 4 '
1 Lead User Service Line Program
The SFPUC has identified approximately 1,400 public utility owned water services needing replacement. Since May 2019, 1,030 SFPUC-owned galvanized service lines have been replaced and 215 (21%) were connected to lead whips. 523 (51%) replaced services were in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Chart 1 identifies the 1,030 replaced galvanized service lines based upon the year the service was originally installed and the presence of a lead whip. Map 1 identifies 1,030 galvanized service lines that were replaced with a copper service.
Chart 1
Galvanized Service Lines Replaced
200
190
180
175
160
140
120
112
100
84 80
60 62 57
50 Ine
40 I58
20 1 5
16 2
12 0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960
• Lead Whip No Lead Whip
181
21 1970 1980
Map 1
Galvanized Service Lines Replaced within San Francisco
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2 Local Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
Potable Pipelines
During this reporting period, 5.1 miles have been installed and placed in service. During this reporting period water main projects were underway on Diamond St., Taraval St., Laid ley St., Webster St., Joost Ave., Gold Mine Dr., and Hampshire St. The current forecast is 11 miles to be installed and placed in service by the end of 2025 which represents a 100% increase over mileage placed in service in 2024.
The cost per mile for streetscape, transit, or ERDIP-type projects is approximately $8.6 million. The cost per mile for distribution pipelines is approximately $5.8 million. Table 1 identifies the number of miles completed during this period.
Table 1
Water Main Replacement Program 2024 (January 1, 2024 — December 31, 2024) Project Contract No. Miles
16, 12, And 8-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on WD-2843 0.36 Diamond St (27th St to Diamond Heights Blvd), 28th And Duncan St (Douglass To Noe Sts.), Valley St (Diamond to Noe Sts.), And Noe St (Duncan to Valley Sts.)
L-Taraval Improvement Project (Sunset Blvd. to West Portal) WD-2859R 0.40 8- and 16-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Laidley WD-2847 0.67 Street from Chenery Street to Harper Street, Bemis Street, Miguel Street, and Various Side Streets
12-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Installation on Webster Street from WD-2896 0.29 Grove Street to Eddy Street
8-inch and 12-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Joost WD-2874 1.48 Ave from Hazelwood Ave to Congo and Various Side Streets 8-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Gold Mine Drive WD-2848 0.92 from Topaz Way to Diamond Heights Boulevard and Various Side Streets
Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement, Sewer Replacement, and WD-2801 0.71 Pavement Renovation, from Mariposa Street to Cesar Chavez on York and Hampshire Streets
Total 5.05 miles
Emergency Firefighting Water System (EFWS) Pipelines
The EFWS is used to suppress multiple alarm fires as well as the protection of property from fire following an earthquake. Notable EFWS work includes:
• Construction of a new 36-inch diameter welded steel PEFWS pipeline along Vicente St from 19th Ave to 25th Ave was completed.
• Construction of a new EFWS water supply and pipeline near the crest of Clarendon Ave at Dellbrook Ave was completed.
• Construction of a new EFWS 12-inch earthquake resistant ductile iron pipe (ERDIP) along Mann St, and hydraulically actuated ball valve at Evans Ave north of Napoleon St. The construction contract received notice to proceed (NTP) September 2024. • The PEFWS pipeline in the western side of the City will be in several phases and the first two contracts (Contract A and B) are in design.
• New fireboat manifolds are in the planning stage for Fort Mason, Pier 35.5, and in the design phase for Mission Bay Ferry Landing.
• Additional enhancement to the electrical power via Job Order Contract (JOC) at Pumping Station No.2.
31 P a y
3 Regional Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
Capital improvement projects for the Regional Water System pipelines progressed steadily during this reporting period. Planning and design continued for several pipeline projects that will replace and rehabilitate deteriorated pipeline segments. Table 2 identifies the Regional Water System projects in the planning, design, and construction phases.
Table 2
Regional Pipeline Replacement Projects under Planning, Design, and Construction Location Limits Description Phase Milestone
Bay Division Valve D50 to 0 Repair pipeline by Planning AAR Pipeline 4 D70 replacing segments with completed
(BDPL 4) welded steel pipe and and CER in
hazard resistant pipe progress
Crystal Springs
Pipeline 2
(CSPL 2)
Reaches 2 and
3 (Valve K10 to
K30)
• Realign pipeline
• Replace coal tar lining
with cement mortar lining
a Improve appurtenances
• Install new access
manholes
• Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Design 35% design
completed
and 65%
design in
progress
Bay Division
Pipelines 1,2, 3,
and 4 (BDPL1-4)
East Bay, South a Replace corroded pipe
Bay, Peninsula • Repair pipe lining
a Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Design 65% design
completed
and 95%
design in
progress
Crystal Springs Reach 5 (Valves . Replace coal tar lining Design 65% design Pipeline 2 K40 to K50) with cement mortar lining completed (CSPL 2) • Improve appurtenances and 95%
design in
a Install new access progress
manholes
• Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Town of Sunol Arroyo de la • Replace pipeline at creek Bid and Construction Laguna Creek crossing Award contract
Crossing awarded and
notice to
proceed
pending
Town of Sunol 1-680 Crossing • Relocate raw and potable Construction 90% complete water lines under freeway
Bay Division Union Pacific • Slip line both pipelines Closeout Construction Pipelines 3 & 4 Railroad under new railroad tracks completed (BDPL 3 & 4) Company and project is
(UPRR) in closeout
Crossing in
Santa Clara
4 Regional Pipeline Inspection Programs
Regional Water Facilities
In January 2024, the Sunset Supply Pipeline (SSPL), which is 5.9 miles of 60-inch diameter welded steel pipe between Valve M50 in the Baden Valve Lot in South San Francisco and the Lake Merced Pump Station in the City, was taken out of service for inspection. However, during the inspection by Pipeline Inspection & Condition Analysis Corporation (PICA), a fire broke out inside the pipeline on February 16, 2024, due to a short-circuited battery in their electromagnetic inspection tool. Following the incident, a specialty subcontractor was hired for hazardous materials removal, and the damaged pipeline was cleaned. This process included surface preparation and the development of repair designs to replace the damaged lining with new epoxy lining. Despite ongoing consultations with contractors and planning for repairs in May 2024, progress had stalled by June 2024 due to delays in insurance approvals. This left the Project on hold with no significant advancements. In August 2024, PICA's insurance provided approval to move forward with the lining repair project, which was completed in September 2024. The pipeline was returned to WSTD on October 1, 2024, for testing and disinfection, and the SSPL was finally returned to service in mid-November 2024.
Although the inspection was cut short due to the fire incident and only one-third of the original proposed inspection scope was completed, it was not without value. The inspection tool identified two locations where the pipe wall loss had exceeded 70%. These defects were confirmed using a handheld ultrasonic gauge and subsequently reinforced with welded steel patches from inside the pipe. Additionally, WSTD utilized the downtime to perform maintenance on the appurtenances and service connections, updating them to current standards and enhancing the overall integrity and operational reliability of the pipeline.
In April 2024, the Palo Alto Pipeline (PAPL), a 36-inch diameter coal tar coated and lined welded steel pipeline, and a critical pipeline in the Regional Water System, that has no redundancy and never been inspected in the past, was taken out of service for inspection. Pure Technologies was hired to assess the pipeline using their PipeDiver Ultra platform, along with a structural evaluation and remaining useful life (RUL) analysis. The inspection covered the whole 5.36 miles of the pipeline in sections. Of the total 1,195 pipe sections inspected, 21 were identified with wall loss defects ranging between 20% and 35%. The RUL analysis for the pipeline indicated a median RUL of over 100 years and the probability of structural failure within the next 30 years was less than 1%. The inspection results suggest that corrosion would not significantly affect the pipes' expected lifespan. The condition assessment concluded that the pipeline is in good condition and no immediate repair or replacement is warranted. WSTD will reinspect the PAPL in 20 years and re-evaluate the condition of the pipeline.
The Calaveras Pipeline, a 66-inch diameter cement mortar lined welded steel pipeline, was taken out of service for the inspection of Valve W10 due to noise in November 2024. To optimize the shutdown, a 2,800-foot segment of the pipeline between Valve W10 to V40 was also inspected. The overall condition of the pipeline was deemed satisfactory, with only one joint showing minor lining spalling.
After completing the valve inspection, the pipeline was returned to service, and disinfection was not required as it conveyed only raw water. WSTD will reinspect the Calaveras Pipeline in 20 years to monitor condition of the pipeline.
WSTD also supported the shutdown and construction of BDPLs 3 and 4 sliplining under new Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Santa Clara. During the shutdown, WSTD replaced worn guard valves and inspected approximately 8.96 miles of BDPL4 from Valve D20 to D34.
Wage
5 Local and Regional Pipeline Failures
Local Water Pipeline Failures
141 distribution main breaks occurred during this reporting period. Of this total, 129 (91%) were due to natural pipeline breaks out of which 114 (88%) occurred on cast iron pipes, 5 (4%) occurred on ductile iron pipe, 5 (4%) occurred on steel pipe, 4 (3%) occurred on galvanized pipe and 1 (1%) occurred on plastic pipe. The total main break repair cost for the local water system was approximately $2,439,300.
The number of miles of pipe replaced varies year to year; therefore, main break failures have been normalized to facilitate pipe break data comparisons. During this reporting period, pipelines installed in the 1920's experienced the highest main break rate with 27 breaks per 100 miles of pipeline, and not far behind, pipelines installed in the 1880's experienced a break rate of 22 breaks per 100 miles.
Pipelines installed in the 1910's and from 1930 to 1960 experienced 12 to 15 breaks per 100 miles of pipeline. Pipelines installed in other decades experienced 9 breaks or less per 100 miles of pipe installed, which is more than a 67% decrease from the 1920's. See Chart 2 identifying the number of breaks per 100 miles of pipe installation.
Chart 2
January 1, 2024 — December 31, 2024 Normalized Pipeline Failures 30 27 a) ci.
°- 25 22
U) a) 20 ..f
c) 15 15 c) 15 13 14 12 43
I
I I
ca 0 . 9
_c,.) 10
Cl3
1 co 5
6 2
z
0 ilbl i•
1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 Decade
Regional Water Pipeline Failures
During this reporting period, two pipeline leaks occurred in the Regional Water System. In February 2024, a leak was reported on the Palo Alto Pipeline due to accidental damage by an external Contractor during pavement saw cutting. In response, the pipeline was shut down and depressurized to stop the leak. A steel patch was welded over the damaged section to repair the pipeline and restore service.
In March 2024, a leak was reported within the vault containing service connection SC-83, which serves the Town of Hillsborough. The leak was caused by corrosion of the service connection's 4-inch bypass pipe. In response, the service connection was shut down, and the corroded segment of the pipe was replaced to prevent further leakage and maintain the system's integrity.
In September 2024, two 6-inch diameter plastic chemical injection pipes connecting to the 144-inch Tesla Portal manifold were leaking. This was caused by cracks adjacent to the flanged fittings. This chemical injection point was shut down with no operational impact to the system since there were redundant chemical injection facilities available. WSTD is setting up JOC task order to repair the failed chemical injection pipes.
6