Fire emergencies, while not an everyday occurrence, do happen throughout San Francisco. Fires are routinely handled by “first responders” — firefighters, paramedics, and police — and go largely unnoticed. In certain fire related events, SFPUC staff may be called on to assist firefighters with providing water to extinguish fires. The SFPUC: A Partner and First…
Author: Roberto Lopez
Earthquake-Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe Installed in San Francisco
Earthquakes can cause significant damage to San Francisco’s aging water main pipes and potable water distribution systems, which could lead to severe loss of water supplies. To prevent this, the SFPUC is installing high-tech earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipes in key parts of the city to safeguard critical water distribution pipes against the potential destructive impacts…
Just a Typical Day at the Office: Confined Spaces, Big Machines and Picturesque Peaks and Valleys
Going into a dark and tight space, venturing into an active construction zone, or climbing through one of the SFPUC’s watersheds is just a normal day’s work for SFPUC Photographer Robin Scheswohl. Over the past 12 years, Scheswohl has seen her share of excitement with the SFPUC. She’s documented large capital projects from the time…
Over 100 People Were Spooked Out at the SFPUC’s Haunted Halloween Event
Last week, the SFPUC hosted a Haunted Halloween Garden for families at the College Hill Learning Garden on Halloween. The event was designed for the local community to explore the garden, participate in ghoulish family-friendly activities and enjoy Halloween and garden-themed treats. Festivities included a screening of San Francisco Department of the Environment’s LED giveaway, the SFPUC’s educational…
Why Painting Over a Fire Hydrant Isn’t a Work of Art
One may have seen it before in different parts of the City. And some people may think it is a cute or unique to do. But whatever the intention, painting over a fire hydrant is considered vandalism by the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) and the SFPUC. Painting over a fire hydrant with completely different…
How 20th Century Technology is Still Used For San Francisco’s Emergency Firefighting
The Emergency Firefighting Water System (also known at the Auxiliary Water Supply System or AWSS), is an independent high-pressure water supply system dedicated to fire protection. Built in 1913 in response to the 1906 Great Earthquake, the system consists of a 135-mile pipeline network, a high elevation reservoir, two large capacity tanks, two pumping stations,…