Water main break causes flooding in SF's Castro District, some residents without water service

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A San Francisco neighborhood was drying out Sunday after a water main break suddenly sent water gushing down the street, taking residents by surprise. It happened on Collingwood and 19th Streets in the city's Castro District.

It was a rude awakening for neighbors in the Castro Sunday morning, when an 8-inch water main ruptured on Collingwood Street, right next to a parked Tesla.

"It was raising the car up a little bit due to the damaged roadway," said SF Fire Department Lieutenant Mariano Elias.

"The water was just gushing out. It was a trip," said Lorri Farr.

Farr lives only feet away from where the break happened. The pressure was so strong, it broke the asphalt, sending a stream of water running downhill towards 18th Street.

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"It was weird to see water gushing out from underneath the sidewalk," Farr said.

"San Francisco is a very hilly town. The break happened at the top of the hill so water spewed down the roadway," Elias said.

Elias said fire crews acted fast, laying down sandbags.

"Along with our units, charging hose lines to help divert the water down the street into drains versus into people's homes," Elias said.

Luckily, there was no damage to any homes and water was shut off to the neighborhood.

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"And I went to turn on the faucet, and it wasn't working," said Kevin Murray.

Murray is now stocking up on gallon water jugs.

"I'm conserving all my water. I bought water, so I can flush my toilet," Murray said.

"There's no water. It's going to be difficult to wash my hands and all that good stuff," Farr said.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said the water main break highlights the need to upgrade aging infrastructure. This pipe dates back to the 1960s.

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In a statement, the department said:

SFPUC is planning construction work at 21st Street, near the location of this water main break, to replace water pipes serving this area. This project will begin in winter 2025 but construction has not started yet.

Repairs continue on the broken water main. The day gave neighbors an early, unwanted Halloween scare.

"It's amazing how much pressure water can cause. Trippy," Farr said.