Hetch Hetchy delivers seismically sound water tunnel

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco water officials have turned on a new delivery system that carries water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir to customers in San Francisco and the Peninsula.

The seismic upgrade project is on time and $25 million under budget.

80 years ago, in this same spot at the Pulgas Water Temple in San Mateo County, a celebration was held to mark the first time water flowed from Hetch Hetchy to Crystal Springs Reservoir. On Wednesday, the same area witnessed a modern re-make, spurred by the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

"We live in a very seismically dangerous area and to make this kind of investment ahead of a major disaster is unusual, typically, we respond when there's a crisis or after a problem has occurred," said David Pine, President of the San Mateo Board of Supervisors.

Following the earthquake, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission decided to invest $4.6 billion dollars to improve the water system. That meant rate hikes for customers.

"That investment is needed to ensure a safe, reliable, resilient water supply," said Pine.

This tunnel is one of the most significant projects, of the 83 projects on tap. Officials had two choices -- replace the aging, leaking pipes that run along the Dumbarton Bridge or bore a tunnel under the San Francisco Bay.

"We decided the tunnel because the tunnel was more seismically resistant and also it minimized the impact of sensitive habitat and wildlife that was on the surface," said Harlan Kelly, General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

The tunnel is five miles long, under the San Francisco Bay and it's the first of its kind. Not to be confused with the Transbay Tube, which sits on the bay floor.