 SAN MATEO CO., Calif. (KCBS) -- San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy water system this week received a green light to move forward with a critical phase of its $4.3 billion dollar remodel.
Millions of people rely on the water system for their drinking water, but there are portions of the system that are weak, especially the Crystal Springs Bypass Pipeline in San Mateo County.
Julie LaBonte, the Director of the Water Improvement Projects said that there is serious concern about what would happen to that segment in an earthquake.
”The failure of the system in that area would essentially result in the system being cut in half,” said LaBonte.
This week the city’s Public Utility Commission approved construction of a bypass tunnel up Crystal Springs, so that if the current pipeline fails, the second would continue the flow of water.
”It is absolutely critical that we address the seismic vulnerability of our system if we are to keep having a reliable water supply for the Bay Area. So we’re truly engaged here in the race against time,” said LaBonte.
The Hetch Hetchy rebuild covers seven counties and includes over 80 projects. Construction on the Crystal Springs bypass is scheduled for next year, but it will take until 2014 to finish all of the projects.
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KCBS' Barbara Taylor reports
