Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
SF supervisors press SFPUC on plan to expand emergency firefighting water system; cost estimates range from $2B to $6B depending on timeline and options
Summary
Supervisors heard an SFPUC planning study showing the city needs about 255,000 gallons per minute to meet modeled post‑quake fire demands by 2050 and reviewed options that vary in cost and permitting complexity; community advocates urged faster action, seawater options and a clear financing plan.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on April 28 heard an SFPUC planning study laying out options to expand the city’s emergency firefighting water system (EFWS) so that all neighborhoods have high‑pressure fire protection.
John Scarpulla of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission told supervisors the existing EFWS can supply about 80,000 gallons per minute (GPM). Using a modeled 7.8–7.9 magnitude San Andreas earthquake scenario and projected 2050 demands, the study estimates the city will need roughly 255,000 GPM to fight post‑seismic fires. The plan combines pipeline buildout, added water sources and system reliability upgrades.
Scarpulla said phase 1 of a Westside potable EFWS is funded by the 2020 voter bond and construction has begun, but later phases are unfunded. He summarized three build options and associated ranges of conceptual costs: roughly $2.0 billion for…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
