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.
SAN FRANCISCO WATER DIVISION
1990 Newcomb Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
T 415.550.4900
DATE: February 17, 2026
TO: Commissioner Joshua Arce, President
Commissioner Steven E. Leveroni, Vice President
Commissioner Avni Jamdar
Commissioner Kate H. Stacy
Commissioner Meghan Thurlow
THROUGH: Dennis J. Herrera, General Manager
Steven R. Ritchie, Assistant General Manager, Water
FROM: Bill Teahan, San Francisco Water Division Manager Ryan Gabriel, Water Supply and Treatment Division Manager Andrew DeGraca, Water Quality Division Manager
SUBJECT: Water Pipeline Assessment: January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
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) have performed to the linear assets between January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. This report includes five sections below:
1 The Lead User Service Line Program
• In 2025, 381 services have been replaced under WD -2889, “As-Needed Water Service Line Replacement Project.”
2 Local Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
• 12.3 miles of Local Water System distribution and transmission pipelines were 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 achieved final completion. 3 Regional Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
• Design for Crystal Springs Pipeline No.2, Reach 5, and Bay Division Pipeline Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 Lining Repair has reached 100%. Both projects are being packaged for advertisement in early 2026.
4 Regional Pipeline Inspection Programs
• In 2025, a total of 8.2 miles of transmission pipelines were inspected, including the Sunset Supply Pipeline, which had not been inspected since its original construction in the 1950s.
5 Local and Regional Water Pipeline Failures
• There were 1 04 natural main breaks (not construction- related) in the Local Water System and 1 pipeline leak in the Regional Water System during this reporting period.
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1 Lead User Service Line Program
The SFPUC originally identified approximately 1,400 public utility owned water services needing replacement. Since May 2019 , 1,436 SFPUC-owned galvanized service lines have actually been replaced, where 274 (19%) were connected to lead whips . 594 (41%) replaced services were in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Chart 1 identifies the 1,436 replaced galvanized service lines based upon the year the service was originally installed and the presence of a lead whip. Map 1 identifies 1,436 galvanized service lines that were replaced with a copper service.
Chart 1
Galvanized Service Lines Replaced
Map 1
Galvanized Service Lines Replaced within San Francisco
2 64
101 86
3 13 3 29 17
78 63
188
291
208
270
38 0
50 100
150
200
250
300
350
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980
Lead Whip No Lead Whip
LEGEND
Lead Whip
No Lead Whip
Treasure/Yerba
Buena Island –
LSLR Data
Managed by TIDA
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2 Local Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program
Potable Pipelines
During this reporting period, 12.3 miles of potable water pipelines were installed and placed in service.
Construction progressed for water main projects during this reporting period along Webster St., Joost Ave., Gold Mine Dr., Hampshire St, Parnassus Ave., Grand View Ave., Geary Boulevard, Precita Ave., Jersey St., San Bruno Ave., Marin St., Amador St., and at the College Hill Reservoir Outlet . The current forecast is 12 miles to be installed and placed in service by the end of 2026. 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 2025 (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025) Project Contract No. Miles
12-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Installation on Webster Street from Grove Street to Eddy Street
WD-2896 0.03
8-inch and 12-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Joost Ave from Hazelwood Ave to Congo and Various Side Streets WD-2874 0.10
8-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Gold Mine Drive from Topaz Way to Diamond Heights Boulevard and Various Side Streets
WD-2848 0.85
Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement, Sewer Replacement, and Pavement Renovation, from Mariposa Street to Cesar Chavez on York and Hampshire Streets
WD-2801 1.93
12-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Installation on Parnassus Avenue from Stanyan Street to 6th Avenue, on Lawton Street from 7th Avenue to Funston Avenue, and Various Locations
WD-2844 1.29
8-Inch and 12-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Grand View Avenue from Clipper Street to Romain Street and Various Side Streets
WD-2875 0.18
Geary Boulevard Sewer And Water Improvements Phase 2 WD-2708 4.83 8-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement, 16-Inch And 24-Inch Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron Water Main Installation, Sewer Replacement, And Pavement Renovation On Coso And Precita Avenues From Coleridge To Bryant
WD-2720 0.97
8-Inch and 16-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement on Jersey Street from Douglass Street to Church Street and Various Street Locations
WD-2765 1.48
8-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement and 16-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Installation on San Bruno Ave. from Campbell Ave. to Mansell St. and on Blanken Ave. from Tunnel Ave. to Executive Park Blvd.
WD-2876 0.00
12-Inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement and Emergency Firefighting Water System Pipe Installation on Cesar Chavez, Evans Avenue, and Marin Street
WD-2891 0.31
Amador Street Infrastructure Improvements WD-2905 0.00
College Hill Reservoir Outlet Structure and Pipeline Upgrade WD-2717 0.29 Total 12.26 miles
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2 Local Pipeline Renewal and Replacement Program (Continued) 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 during this reporting period includes:
• Construction of a new EFWS water supply and pipeline near the crest of Clarendon Ave at Dellbrook Ave achieved final completion in July 2025.
• Construction of a new EFWS 12- inch earthquake resistant ductile iron pipe (ERDIP) along Marin St, and hydraulically actuated ball valve at Evans Ave north of Napoleon St is progressing. • 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. Contract A achieved 95% design in December 2025 and is progressing toward 100% design. Contract B is progressing to 35% design. • New fireboat manifolds are in the planning stage for Fort Mason and Pier 35.5, and in the design phase for Mission Bay Ferry Landing (MBFL). Fort Mason achieved Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and is progressing to Conceptual Engineering Report (CER). MBFL achieved 100% design in December 2025.
• Additional enhancement to the electrical power is being performed at Pumping Station No.2.
Electrical equipment has been installed and final completion is pending PG&E and Power Enterprise inspection and testing.
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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
Pipeline 4
(BDPL 4)
Valve D50 to
D70
• Repair or replace entire
1.3-mile segment from
Edgewood Road Valve
Lot to Pulgas Valve Lot
or modify crossovers to
maintain water supply.
Planning Reconsideration of spot
repairs and re-evaluation
of options to address the
entire 1.3-mile segment,
including re-visiting and
refining the draft NAR.
Bay Division
Pipelines 1 &
2 (BDPL1 &
2)
Caltrain
Crossing
Redwood
City
• Slipline both pipelines
under a bridge structure
supporting Caltrain’s
tracks
Planning Pre-planning for the
project has commenced.
Crystal
Springs
Pipeline 2
(CSPL 2)
Reaches 2
and 3 (Valve
K10 to K30)
• Realign pipeline
• Replace coal tar lining
with cement mortar lining
• Improve appurtenances
• Install new access
manholes
• Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Design Project was placed on
hold at 35% design due
to budget constraints.
Bay Division
Pipelines 1,
2, 3, and 4
(BDPL1-4)
East Bay,
South Bay,
Peninsula
• Replace corroded pipe
• Repair pipe lining
• Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Design Design is 95% complete,
and the project is in
progress for 100% design
completion. Prepare for
bid and award.
Crystal
Springs
Pipeline 2
(CSPL 2)
Reach 5
(Valves K40
to K50)
• Replace coal tar lining
with cement mortar lining
• Improve appurtenances
• Install new access
manholes
• Install new isolation
valves for safe pipeline
entry
Design Design is 95% complete,
and the project is in
progress for 100% design
completion. Prepare for
bid and award.
Town of
Sunol
Arroyo de la
Laguna
Creek
Crossing
• Replace pipeline at
creek crossing
Construction Notice-to-proceed was
issued to the Contractor.
Town of
Sunol
I-680
Crossing
• Relocate raw and
potable water lines
under freeway
Closeout Construction was
completed.
Bay Division
Pipelines
3 &
4 (BDPL 3 &
4)
Union Pacific
Railroad
Company
(UPRR)
Crossing in
Santa Clara
• Slip line both pipelines
under new railroad
tracks
Closeout Construction was
completed and project
has been closed out.
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4 Regional Pipeline Inspection Programs
Three regional water pipelines were inspected between January and December 2025, representing approximately 8.2 miles of transmission pipeline. Inspections were performed from inside the pipelines using visual and sounding methods, along with electromagnetic technology to identify localized metal wall loss. Larger defects identified during the inspections were repaired prior to returning the pipelines to service, while minor defects were documented and will be revisited in future inspections.
In January 2025, the Tesla Manifold Pipeline was inspected between the Tesla Valve Lot and the Tesla Treatment Facility. This 144-inch welded steel pipeline, constructed in 2011, conveys water from San Joaquin Pipelines Nos. 1– 4 to the Tesla Treatment Facility. Approximately 800 feet of pipeline was inspected. Only minor lining defects were identified, and they will be monitored in future inspections.
In March 2025, the Sunset Supply Pipeline (SSPL) was taken out of service between Valve M30 in Burlingame and Valve M50 in South San Francisco for inspection. This segment, which had not been inspected since its original construction in the 1950s, consists of approximately 7.5 miles of 60- inch welded steel pipe with coal tar lining and coating. The inspection was conducted using Pipeline Inspection & Condition Analysis Corporation (PICA) electromagnetic (EM) technology, which can detect corrosion in the steel substrate behind the lining. The inspection tool was also equipped with CCTV and LiDAR modules to assess pipe lining condition and was able to evaluate ovality.
Data collection was successfully completed in July 2025. While PICA’s detailed data analysis is ongoing and expected to take several months, larger defects were identified shortly after the initial scanning. These defects were verified from inside the pipe using handheld ultrasonic thickness gauges, and steel patches were welded in place to reinforce areas with metal loss. Overall, the SSPL was found to be in good condition for its age, with most larger defects repaired prior to returning the pipeline to service. Proactively repairing these defects helps prevent leaks and associated service disruptions. The forthcoming detailed inspection report will further inform future repair and replacement priorities.
In October 2025, Bay Division Pipeline No. 3 (BDPL3) was taken out of service between Valve C20 in Milpitas and Valve C34 in Palo Alto to perform a warranty inspection of the recently completed sliplining project beneath the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks in Santa Clara. The sliplined section was found to be in good condition, with only minor lining defects. The prime contractor, Ranger Pipeline, promptly completed repairs under warranty. During the same shutdown, WSTD also performed maintenance on appurtenances and service connections.
In December 2025, the Sunset Supply Pipeline (SSPL) was taken out of service between Valve M10 in San Mateo and Valve M30 in Burlingame for inspection. This shutdown included approximately 3.5 miles of 79- inch welded steel pipe constructed in the 1950s, with the 90- inch Hillsborough Tunnel located within this SSPL segment. Both the pipeline segment and the Hillsborough Tunnel were taken out of service in preparation for PICA to perform EM inspection in January 2026. Similar to the previous SSPL inspection, the objective is to identify localized wall loss defects and to collect CCTV and LiDAR data.
However, in late January 2026, the planned inspection was cancelled due to an unforeseen equipment issue at one of the pump stations. As a result, system operations could no longer support the extended shutdown required for the inspection. This inspection will be rescheduled when operational conditions allow.
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5 Local and Regional Pipeline Failures
Local Water Pipeline Failures
120 distribution main breaks occurred during this reporting period. Of this total, 1 04 (87%) were due to natural pipeline breaks out of which 94 (90%) occurred on cast iron pipes, 7 (7%) occurred on ductile iron pipe, 2 (2%) occurred on steel pipe and 1 (1%) occurred on galvanized pipe . The total main break repair cost for the local water system was approximately $2,512,900.
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 1880’s experienced the highest main break rate with 22 breaks per 100 miles of pipeline . Not far behind, Pipelines installed from 1920 to 1960 experienced 10 to 18 breaks per 100 miles of pipeline.
Pipelines installed in other decades experienced 6 breaks or less per 100 miles of pipe installed, which is more than a 73% decrease from the 1880’s. S ee Chart 2 identifying the number of breaks per 100 miles of pipe installation.
Chart 2
January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 Normalized Pipeline Failures
Regional Water Pipeline Failures
During this reporting period, a new pipeline leak was identified within the Regional Water System. In October 2025, the leak was detected by the Syrinix leak monitoring system on Bay Division Pipeline No. 4 (BDPL4) near Edgewood Road in Redwood City. Operations subsequently confirmed the leak and verified the source was from BDPL4. The leak rate was approximately 10 gallons per minute and has remained stable. The water from the leak is being conveyed to a nearby drainage culvert and is not causing damage to the surrounding area.
Repair of the BDPL4 leak will be coordinated with the upcoming planned shutdown for installation of the acoustic fiber optic monitoring system. The construction schedule for this work is to be determined.
In the interim, all active leaks will continue to be monitored to ensure leak rates remain stable. 22 3
6 3
16 14
18 12
10 5
2 1 1
0 5
10 15
20 25
1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 No. Breaks per Mile of Pipe
Decade