In the Community - San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

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PERMIT NO. 925
SOUTHEAST NEWSLETTER
Biosolids Project at Southeast
Treatment Plant to Improve Odor
Control & Seismic Reliability
SOUTHEAST NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2015
For more information, visit: sfwater.org
Environmental Justice
Analysis: An Update
from Yolanda Manzone
The biosolids digester facilities, a key part of the wastewater operations at
the Southeast Treatment Plant, are being upgraded as part of the SFPUC’s
Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP). The new digesters will be moved
away from homes to the north side of the plant along the Caltrain tracks. The
facilities will be designed to meet current seismic codes and use modern
technology to reduce odors in the neighborhood.
As the SFPUC works to rebuild
the Southeast Treatment Plant,
we are committed to supporting a
healthy, vibrant Bayview Hunters
Point (BVHP) community. As the
Environmental Justice and Land Use
Program Manager on the Community
Benefits team, I am managing an
environmental justice analysis that
will examine the social, economic
and environmental health of the
BVHP community to better inform our
ongoing work in the neighborhood.
Focus Groups Upcoming for Southeast
Community Facility
The SFPUC has been partnering with the community to revitalize the Southeast
Community Facility at 1800 Oakdale Avenue in the Bayview. The tenants in the
building, including City College of San Francisco, Human Services Agency, Hunters
Point Family, Renaissance Parents of Success, and 5 Keys Charter School,
provide educational and job training opportunities to residents of the Southeast.
We envision a center that creates opportunities for residents of all ages and is an
integral part of the community.
In the coming months, we will be holding focus groups and talking to community
residents about the future of the facility and how it can better serve the
community. If you are interested in participating or learning more, contact Andrea
Tacdol at [email protected] or visit sfwater.org/secf. We look forward to
gathering your insight and ensuring your voice is heard.
SPRING 2015
This summer, the project will begin the environmental review process and
residents are encouraged to provide comments. The project scoping meeting
will be held on July 14 at the Southeast Community Facility at 1800 Oakdale
Avenue. An open house will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation and
comment period will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the
project and the scoping meeting, visit sfwater.org/digesters.
In the weeks preceding the environmental review, the project team will
conduct presentations and updates at local community group meetings. Are
you part of a community group that would be interested in hosting our team?
Let us know! Email us at [email protected].
You may have met me and my team
at one of the community stakeholder
meetings this year, where we worked
to gather input on the issues of most
pressing concern to the community
to include in the study. We expect to
complete a report outlining the existing
environmental justice conditions in the
area this summer, and will report back
on the initial results at that time.
(continued on page 2)
SOUTHEAST NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2015
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Water Conservation Now
Mandatory
Sewer Rap: Treats the Water that Flows
SFPUC youth interns wrote, performed and recently released “You Can’t Live
a Day Without Me”, a rap song about the City’s sewer system, to introduce a
younger audience to the importance of functioning wastewater infrastructure.
The video was filmed and edited by San Francisco’s youth through BAYCAT, a local
non-profit empowering underserved City youth through digital media training. The
video recently surpassed 15,000 views on YouTube. Take the quiz on our website
and look out on our social media channels to win prizes. Did you miss the video?
Watch it now at sfwater.org/SewerRap.
In response to the continuing drought emergency,
Governor Jerry Brown announced steep water
restrictions in April, requiring Californians to reduce
water use by 25%. Help San Francisco continue
to lead the state in conservation with tips on our
website at sfwater.org/conservation.
Advocating for the Bayview:
A letter from Tracy Zhu
my immigrant family moved to Bayview over twenty
“ Since
years ago, I have learned a lot about the struggles of the
In the Community
black community in Southeast San Francisco. I joined
the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure that the
Southeast gets positive benefits from the SFPUC’s future
investments in the area.
The SFPUC produces and participates in events throughout the year that engage, enhance, and support the community.
Honoring a Century of Black Life,
History, and Culture
At CAC meetings, I advocate for residents in Bayview and
displaced people of color to get access to good quality
careers including building, designing and maintaining
new SFPUC infrastructure. SFPUC-funded summer youth
programs and pre-apprenticeship programs are ways
that the SFPUC is preparing young people for those
careers. I also work with fellow kayakers, local residents,
and SFPUC staff to advocate for water quality testing
and notifications in the local creek and bayfront.
I am excited to find new ways to engage low-income
communities of color in the Southeast to plan for the
long-term impacts of climate change: rising sea level,
unpredictable weather, and drought. The SFPUC is
building infrastructure to last for the next 100 years, and
by engaging existing communities, we will be grounded
in creating a forward-thinking and inclusive vision.
The SFPUC held the 11th Annual Celebration of Black
American History (CBAH) Luncheon in February, where
we continued the tradition of acknowledging deserving
community organizations with scholarships of $1,500.
This year’s awardees were Afrosola Project Empowerment,
Brothers Making Change, and Willie Brown, Jr. Middle
School.
Tracy Zhu, CAC member and local activist at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
”
Southeast Treatment Plant
Tours are Back!
In addition, the event acknowledged the leadership
and accomplishments of “everyday heroes”. The
Humanitarian Award went to Benjamin Robinson, who
worked tirelessly in the Bayview community. The Lifetime
Achievement Award went to John Templeton, President
of Venturata Economic Development Corporation, the
catalyst for the California African-American Freedom Trail.
Carla Vaughn, currently with the Southeast Community
Facility Commission, received the Living Legend, Arts and
Entertainment Award.
Beginning in April, you can once again experience the inner
workings of the infrastructure that keeps our City running
with a free tour of the Southeast Treatment Plant.
We also offer free tours to San Francisco schools for
students 4th grade and up. Bryant Elementary School
teacher Loreta Torres says, “I love the outdoor classroom.
Anything that has to do with your real life experience and
ties into the curriculum is an experience I believe students
gain more depth and knowledge from.”
See Loreta’s classroom tour the plant and sign up for tours at
sfwater.org/tours. Questions? Email [email protected].
We offer free buses for San Francisco schools to take tours of the
Southeast Treatment Plant. Learn more on our website.
Renel Brooks-Moon, announcer for the World Series
Champions San Francisco Giants, as well as a local
radio personality on 98.1 KISQ FM, was the pitch-perfect
Mistress of Ceremonies. Mayor Edwin M. Lee spoke about
the importance of diversity and the San Francisco family.
Entertainment included an R&B performance by The Best
Intentions; the crowd swayed as they sang Motown classics.
We are proud to acknowledge past achievements while
creating a shared understanding of the individuals and
collective efforts being made for the future.
San Francisco City College at Southeast Community
Facility Summer Registration Now Open. Administrative
Justice, High School Equivalency, and ESL classes start
June 15. Credit and non-credit classes available for
summer and fall. Learn more at ccsf.edu.
Nice to meet you! Have you seen us lately? The SFPUC
sewer team has been out on the streets and in the
community talking about taking care of the sewer that
takes cares of us 24/7. On April 12, kids learned what
belongs in the toilet at our booth at Sunday Streets in the
Bayview by throwing the correct items--“the three P’s”
poop, pee, and paper—into an inflatable toilet. We talked
to families about how to protect our sewer system, the
bay, and ocean at the 3rd on Third Earth Day event, and
celebrated with the community at Cinco de Mayo. Look for
our table at Juneteenth, Carnaval, and other community
events for information about our projects, water-saving
tips, and free stuff.