For more than 120 years, the Richmond District’s water and sewer infrastructure system has served the neighborhood and beyond. With one of the sewer pipes dating back to 1877 and most water pipes installed in the late 1800s, these hardworking systems even withstood the trauma of the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Constant attention, emergency interventions, and patchwork repairs are no longer enough to keep them functional. It’s time for a modern upgrade.
In January, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) began construction to modernize the Richmond District’s water and sewer infrastructure along Geary Boulevard from 32nd Avenue to Stanyan Street. In late 2026, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will join the project to add above-ground pedestrian safety and bus improvements along the two-mile corridor to make it safer and easier for people to get where they’re going.
By tackling this $50 million sewer and water project all at once, the SFPUC aims to ensure residents and businesses in the Richmond District will have clean, reliable drinking water and flushing toilets for the next century.
The project will replace or rehabilitate approximately 1.4 miles of sewer mains and 6.7 miles of water pipes. This work f ills a key gap between previously upgraded water mains west of 32nd Avenue and east of Presidio Avenue, completed in 2021.
Sewer upgrades will improve system reliability, increase capacity, and reduce the risk of flooding and backups for residents and businesses. A key focus is the Geary Boulevard watershed, which collects stormwater from neighborhoods between Masonic Avenue and 33rd Avenue, and from Golden Gate Park to the Presidio. These upgrades will help the sewer system handle more water from the entire area that drains to or through Geary Boulevard.
The water system upgrades are just as critical. Replacing the 16-inch transmission line on Geary Boulevard, which serves the entire Richmond District, will improve water pressure, f low, and reliability for homes, businesses, and firefighting. Because San Francisco’s water system is interconnected, these upgrades will benefit not only the Richmond District but also neighborhoods like the Western Addition.
“We understand that construction is disruptive,” SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera said. “This major improvement project is an investment in the Richmond District and San Francisco’s future. Modern, reliable water and sewer systems provide greater resilience, reduced flooding, and better service for everyone. The SFPUC is also coordinating our work with the SFMTA to minimize disruptions to the community while they make transit and safety improvements. The combined underground and surface level improvements will ensure the Richmond District remains a vibrant, safe, and beautiful place to live for decades to come.”