While the entire country battles with COVID-19, Douglas Lipps a mechanical engineer says he has learned in his nearly 42-year career in wastewater that, with change comes new opportunity. “Developments in technology is allowing us to continue operating even with the coronavirus,” explained Lipps. “The computer technology allows humans to do their jobs under ever-changing conditions.” Lipps explains that in the last couple of years, the wastewater industry has been changing at a rapid speed with…
Author: Sabrina Suzuki
Meet Local Students Who Became Drain Heroes
A few weeks before shelter-in place was mandated in San Francisco, Kelly Newman, a science teacher for middle and high school students at St. John’s Academy, adopted several drains close to the school as part of the SFPUC’s Adopt a Drain Program. An advocate for watershed programs, Newman wanted to teach her students awareness about ecosystems, the environment, ground water, and wastewater. “It is so important to me to educate students…
Meet Steven Trang, Who Has Used His Voice as a Translator in the City’s COVID-19 Response
A general laborer from the SFPUC’s Sewer Operations Division never thought his ability to speak four languages would ever come in so handy. Steven Trang has been supporting the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for the City and County of San Francisco, activated in response to COVID-19 as a translator stationed at local food banks. In…
How to Help Protect the Environment During the Pandemic
Last week, Mayor London Breed put an order for workers and residents – in fact, for everyone – in San Francisco to wear face coverings when they are outside of their homes for essential needs, including waiting in line for or inside of a grocery store or on public transportation. Most people are already wearing…
How to Prevent Pollution by Upcycling or Recycling Plastic and Paper Bags
San Franciscans have gotten used to putting a sack of their own shopping bags by the front door, in their cars, or in their backpacks to be used at the grocery store or shopping in general to avoid paying for a bag and reduce use of paper or plastic. A few weeks ago, things changed…
Why You Should Only Flush the 3Ps and Nothing Else
People have been using toilet paper since the 1850s. With the shortage of toilet paper while most of the nation shelters in place there is concern that some people may be looking for alternatives. According to Autumn Cleave, SFPUC Pollution Prevention Specialist, while it might be tempting to use something other than toilet paper, she…