The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission renewed 9.1 miles of in-city water distribution main in FY2025, against its own target of 15 miles, according to its audited financial report for the year ended June 30, 2025. Wastewater pipeline renewal reached 6.5 miles against a 13.8-mile target.
A long network
The shortfall applies to a large system. The audited report counts 1,725 miles of water mains in FY2025, while SFPUC's 2026 capital plan refers to 1,230 miles of drinking water mains in San Francisco; the two figures come from different documents. On the sewer side, the collection system ran to 1,139 miles of pipe in FY2025, and SFPUC describes the combined system as more than 100 years old.
Repairs and replacement
Crews repaired 138 water main breaks in FY2025, compared with 102 in FY2017 and 142 in FY2020. Sewer replaced fell to 6.7 miles in FY2025, from 13.6 miles in FY2017 and 15.2 miles in FY2020. One target was met: dry-weather main sewer overflows ran at 1 per 100 miles, against a target of under 3.
Budgets under pressure
The 10-year capital plan adopted on February 10, 2026 gives the Water Enterprise US$2,498.8 million, 15.4% less than the previous plan, with local distribution and service renewal programs among those whose budgets were reduced to meet affordability goals. Sewer rates rose 15.0% in July 2026, an increase SFPUC's financial plan links mainly to Southeast Treatment Plant projects.
What the report adds
Where renewal sits against seismic, treatment and wastewater projects, how the three water-main figures differ and what to watch in the next audited report are covered in the full report. The full report, Water Systems Overview: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Utility Snapshot.