Water main break creates crater-like shape near Stern Grove
SAN FRANCISCO - A water main broke in San Francisco on Friday morning, creating flooding and a crater-like shape near San Francisco's Stern Grove.
The break on Wawona Street was reported about 9:30 a.m., sending water gushing high into the sky.
Supervisor Joel Engardio was on scene, as the water shot into the air.
"The homeowner reported hearing an explosion," Engardio said. "They thought it might be an earthquake and then saw the water main broken and maybe 50 feet in the air, water was shooting up into the air."
He added the winter storms haven't helped.
"A lot of trees have come down in Stern Grove," he said. "Unfortunately, it's an environmental issue. I don't know, I'm not an expert, but we do need to make sure we look at this very carefully."
San Francisco's water power and sewer department confirmed that an eight-inch valve connected to a 60-inch water transmission line failed.
Neighbors say that failure led to a fountain of water shooting into the air.
"I mean all I can say is we don't have to go to Napa County," said Julie Mitra. "We've got our own geyser going on here in San Francisco."
Crews from the San Francisco Fire Department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission were able to turn off the gusher by about 11 a.m.
Water power and sewer says the line that failed feeds water from the water treatment plant on the Peninsula to the Sunset Reservoir; service for customers in the area was not impacted by the break.
The water main break reminded many of the water main break in August 2021.
That break caused 700,000 gallons of water to cascade down into the amphitheater area of Stern Grove park, canceling the final Stern Grove concert of the season.
This break is on the other end of the park, about a half mile away from the other one.
Organizers say they're hopeful this latest break will not impact this year's concert series, set to get underway in June.
A water main gushed and created a crater-like shape on Wawona Street. March 8, 2024
Crews from the San Francisco Fire Department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission were trying to assess a water main break near Stern Grove. March 8, 2024
A water main broke near Stern Grove. March 8, 2024
A water main broke in San Francisco on Friday morning, creating flooding and a crater-like shape near San Franciscos Stern Grove. March 8, 2024