Exploring San Francisco's Hidden Tunnels | Bay Curious

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  • Опубліковано 30 жов 2019
  • With nearly a million residents, San Francisco is bustling with life, but what goes on underneath the city is just as intricate. Built more than a century ago during the gold rush, San Francisco’s sewer system is a feat of engineering that very few get to see. Bay Curious follows San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Assistant Engineer Megan Abadie on an exploration of the hidden tunnels beneath the city's streets.
    UPDATE: We removed a quote that included an inaccurate statement about sewer networks across California. Almost all of San Francisco uses a combined sewer system. San Francisco, along with a small part of Sacramento, are the only cities in California that use a combined system.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 170

  • @BlueDotSessions
    @BlueDotSessions 4 роки тому +31

    Thanks for having us in this video!

  • @icysurfer1
    @icysurfer1 3 роки тому +25

    We found tunnels under a downtown SF nightclub. With concrete walled rooms. Speakeasy was our guess. One room had a bunch of liquor bottles .

    • @michelleb831
      @michelleb831 3 роки тому +2

      Which club?

    • @BallardBaller
      @BallardBaller 3 роки тому +2

      There was one in the basement of my friends night club, off Mission St, it connected to a few other basements on neighboring streets.

    • @frankyu553
      @frankyu553 3 роки тому +6

      A few of those tunnels are still working and used for a speakeasy called "Anti-Saloon League, ironically named for a Pro-Prohibition org back in the early 20th century. The tunnels lead out to various exits so that, back in the day, people secretly drinking could get out without getting noticed. The speakeasy is still a (pretty cool) bar and tunnels can still be used for exits.

    • @lasergabe
      @lasergabe 3 роки тому +4

      Bro tell us what club

    • @youradhere1217
      @youradhere1217 3 роки тому +3

      Why you all want to know? You all just going to blow up the spot and have someone close access to it. I never share “secret spots” I only tell very close friends so they know where to look if I go missing.

  • @garcia9242
    @garcia9242 3 роки тому +264

    Them Sewers look cleaner than the streets of San Francisco.

    • @nategadow4482
      @nategadow4482 3 роки тому +14

      Probably more poop on the sidewalk

    • @anthonyroberson5199
      @anthonyroberson5199 3 роки тому +15

      Funny but true

    • @thomaskrehbiel2946
      @thomaskrehbiel2946 3 роки тому +7

      Sad comment regarding what the government has allowed to happen to San Francisco. When all the tourists don’t return maybe, just maybe the Supervisors will understand who is at fault.... but ....

    • @craigbradl4139
      @craigbradl4139 3 роки тому +1

      One tunnel big deal ,a joke

    • @Planetcat2071
      @Planetcat2071 3 роки тому +1

      @@thomaskrehbiel2946 They couldn’t care less. Them and the city workers and Bart get paid the all the same. More people and more commerce to them just means more work. I’ve worked there for 30 years and the recent lack of caring about that city is really sickening. It’s the city worker paradox there: hire more and more low grade employees that are never fired no matter how bad they are, and watch the city turn into a crime ridden dump.

  • @JimCTSCLO
    @JimCTSCLO 4 роки тому +27

    I have the pleasure of working with many of the heroes in SFPUC Wastewater. They truly care and work miracles on a daily basis. Great video.

    • @daniellomeli9884
      @daniellomeli9884 3 роки тому +3

      Hey any chance you guys are hiring? I am really interested in this type of job

  • @alicefreist318
    @alicefreist318 3 роки тому +21

    Bad idea or not ... many years ago, I tagged along with friends who'd gone "spelunking" in the tunnels before. We entered out by the ocean and went exploring as far as we dared ... it was appropriately terrifying. I do not recommend for a variety of reasons.

    • @morgato4200
      @morgato4200 3 роки тому +5

      I did that on lsd

    • @gunslingingbird74
      @gunslingingbird74 3 роки тому +4

      Care to elaborate?

    • @alicefreist318
      @alicefreist318 3 роки тому +4

      At least one of the excursions was admittedly "under the influence." Ah, those were the days ... back when "microdose" meant "I got ripped off, dammit!."

    • @tedkaplan6639
      @tedkaplan6639 3 роки тому +1

      @@alicefreist318 Glad you survived! Was John Law involved?

    • @408HaRRy530
      @408HaRRy530 3 роки тому

      Where is the ocean entrance??

  • @pattyandbustershow1031
    @pattyandbustershow1031 4 роки тому +40

    So, no crossover into old Chinatown tunnels?

    • @oscar7513
      @oscar7513 3 роки тому +4

      Right? I was hoping to see Lo Pan or at least the Sewer Monster... disappointed!

  • @lt2143
    @lt2143 3 роки тому +11

    This is very inspiring. My nieces will know there are additional professions they can aim from.
    It would be awesome had there a CGI of the tunnels for a better view and perspective.

  • @samiam9059
    @samiam9059 3 роки тому +5

    Had no idea those are so huge and tall! great video...

  • @StevenTorrey
    @StevenTorrey 3 роки тому +7

    It is easy to lose sight of the fact that beneath the city, there is massive granite base.

    • @DeanStephen
      @DeanStephen 3 роки тому +6

      That is the bedrock that the Millennium Tower’s foundation should have been set upon.

  • @eastbaykidd8574
    @eastbaykidd8574 3 роки тому +8

    The gas detectors must really go off underneath the Mission Burrito place.

  • @seanglennon4012
    @seanglennon4012 3 роки тому +3

    My grandfather used to play in these tunnels when he was a little boy back in the 1920's. People used to get Shanghaid through some of these tunnels

    • @brendanhauser4644
      @brendanhauser4644 3 роки тому

      Shanghaid?

    • @something_in_the_radiator1665
      @something_in_the_radiator1665 3 роки тому +1

      @@brendanhauser4644 Shanghaied, forcing someone to join to work on a ship lacking a crew. enslavement.

    • @snowyowlz5992
      @snowyowlz5992 Місяць тому

      Get drunk the previous evening and find yourself on another ship at sea and only then waking up from your drunken stupor…

  • @sinbaon2154
    @sinbaon2154 3 роки тому +5

    This Was A Great Introduction To The Underworld So To Speak

  • @tantradossantos4501
    @tantradossantos4501 Рік тому

    Thank you for your service. 🙏

  • @christophersherman1198
    @christophersherman1198 3 роки тому +5

    They had a attraction made out of one of those tunnels. I think it's called the San Fransisco Dungeon. A ride people can take to see historical period stuff in SF. I never made it there to see myself. I dont know if it's still there.
    If your interested I think you can look it up. ✌🏼

  • @timberwolvesxx7250
    @timberwolvesxx7250 2 роки тому +1

    fascinating. i learned so much from this video

  • @RunDub
    @RunDub 3 роки тому +1

    What a cool job!

  • @marcballesteros
    @marcballesteros 4 роки тому +27

    Heard there are still ships buried all around San Francisco

    • @dk50b
      @dk50b 3 роки тому +6

      According to the National Park Service 50 at last count ua-cam.com/video/u5yIo75WZwI/v-deo.html

    • @justinoak9196
      @justinoak9196 3 роки тому +2

      Correct in the Finanical District. You can find out more by visiting the Guest area in Trans America Building.

  • @Cyndogg085
    @Cyndogg085 3 роки тому +3

    That job seems fun.

  • @aroach337
    @aroach337 3 роки тому +31

    Our combined system with direct access to the bay. Doesn't that mean untreated sewage going directly into the bay every heavy rain, or did I miss something.

    • @CBlargh
      @CBlargh 3 роки тому +18

      It means 2 things:
      1. Really heavy rains _can_ overflow the catchment and send untreated sewage into the bay.
      2. Much less of the oils and toxins from the street find their way into the bay, because they are removed by the treatment facilities before the water gets there.
      In general, I am in favour of the system. It could probably use more catchment storage to stop the overflow incidents.

    • @StevenTorrey
      @StevenTorrey 3 роки тому +3

      The storm drainage system (above ground where you see grates) is not connected to the sewer system; two separate sets of drainage. Not really explained in the video that they are not connected,

    • @ciscokid77
      @ciscokid77 3 роки тому +10

      @@StevenTorrey The storm drains on the street surface do tie in to the main sanitary system in San Francisco, with the exception of a handful of spots. San Francisco is one of the only cities in the country to have a "combined sewer system" .

    • @lhzav
      @lhzav 3 роки тому +1

      Weirs and baffles prevent solids and floating wastewater particles from entering the bay, or ocean, and large transport storage structures hold excess rainfall until it can be treated. A combined sewer overflow only occurs when the transport storage box is full.

    • @StevenTorrey
      @StevenTorrey 3 роки тому +2

      @@ciscokid77 Now that you mention it, you may be right.

  • @KerryDSC
    @KerryDSC 3 роки тому +7

    cool job, she should wear a respirator though

  • @JChang0114
    @JChang0114 3 роки тому +4

    Waiting for Flukeman.

  • @dreboerte5864
    @dreboerte5864 4 роки тому +7

    Circle of life where human go swimming in them.

  • @rdbjrseattle
    @rdbjrseattle Рік тому

    That’s what happened in Seattle. The tides backed up in the sewer pipes. The lower floors were covered over and became basements with sidewalks overhead, now Seattle Underground tours started in the 1960s.

  • @LildaddyFire151
    @LildaddyFire151 3 роки тому +3

    Thought it was gonna be the Chinatown tunnels. But remember they got filled in

  • @kotastrophie
    @kotastrophie 8 місяців тому

    Almost as short as the podcast. Only difference is the 10 minutes of ads that make the podcast seem longer

  • @davidfrancis949
    @davidfrancis949 2 роки тому +1

    SO DOES SEEAGE WATER GO INTO SANFRANCISCO BAY

  • @Stensland55
    @Stensland55 11 місяців тому

    Back in 1994-95 I worked on that tunnel and overflow they showed.

  • @blacklanner5886
    @blacklanner5886 3 роки тому +3

    And I thought San Francisco smelled bad above ground.

  • @CrankyHermit
    @CrankyHermit 3 роки тому +20

    Misleading title, unanswered questions. All style and cuteness here, no substance. You left people confused and uninformed about an important subject.

    • @jessicabarsse3701
      @jessicabarsse3701 3 роки тому

      Absolutely agree with you!

    • @danielgoodson8155
      @danielgoodson8155 3 роки тому +1

      Agreed. Was expecting something entirely different.
      As the piece progressed, found wanting. Well said.

    • @RavenJCain
      @RavenJCain 3 роки тому +1

      Particularly the part about dumping sewage into the ocean when it gets too full. A little clarity on that would have been great.

  • @davidfrancis949
    @davidfrancis949 2 роки тому

    SEWAGE EXCRETEMENT GO AS SUCH UNTREATED DIRECTLY FROM A DISCHARGE INTO SEA WATER

  • @alancampos8906
    @alancampos8906 4 роки тому +8

    Combined systems are a waste of rain water!

    • @BallardBaller
      @BallardBaller 3 роки тому +1

      All the shits the homeless take on the street go to the same place you flush 😂

  • @sillypeople4873
    @sillypeople4873 3 роки тому +9

    Love the full make-up.

  • @rust-0hspray156
    @rust-0hspray156 2 роки тому

    There's sewers underneath the city it is my job it's a fun job it feels good to be near the light of the tunnel water is not the only danger here but sea water could be bad for the tunnel
    Is that it okay cool video didn't explain too much or show about the tunnels

  • @TheMrFlyBoy18
    @TheMrFlyBoy18 Рік тому

    You can make tea out of waste water if you find it really that satisfying. Good on you though

  • @leobav2425
    @leobav2425 4 роки тому +13

    So the waste products just get dumped into the ocean ?...

    • @ashesmandalay1762
      @ashesmandalay1762 4 роки тому +10

      After it is biologically treated to neutralize it.

    • @JimCTSCLO
      @JimCTSCLO 4 роки тому +9

      There is a comprehensive process of treatment that occurs before the final effluent is discharged into the ocean. There are many resources you can check and perhaps even contacting SFPUC would provide you with information on the outstanding work Megan and many, many, others do on a daily basis. The fact that you bothered to ask the question is also outstanding and hopefully more will.

    • @leobav2425
      @leobav2425 4 роки тому +1

      @@JimCTSCLO when I seen the discharged methods, I thought where is the plant that makes the discharge safe ?....

    • @JimCTSCLO
      @JimCTSCLO 4 роки тому +3

      @@leobav2425 Two plants one on Great Highway next to Ocean Beach. One called Southeast Plant near Third and Phelps.

    • @argentosebastian
      @argentosebastian 4 роки тому +2

      Would be awesome to have a tour down there.

  • @johnnyblade1293
    @johnnyblade1293 4 роки тому +5

    tunnel rats 🖤

  • @MichaelSnyder1776
    @MichaelSnyder1776 3 роки тому +1

    I put it on 1.5x speed and she still talks slowly

  • @antn8387
    @antn8387 3 роки тому

    we have the greatest infrastructure in the world!

  • @jessicabarsse3701
    @jessicabarsse3701 3 роки тому +4

    Well once i saw what this video was about i was sooo excited to watch and learn but it really didn't show much☹. No telling where they are or what entrances there are. I honestly would have been happier with a map of the underground tunnels! Maybe re-do??

    • @tedkaplan6639
      @tedkaplan6639 3 роки тому +5

      This is a video by KQED public broadcasting, there is no way they are going to make a guide to illegally exploring tunnels where you can be killed 5 different ways.

    • @sfnative9365
      @sfnative9365 3 роки тому +3

      why on earth would they tell or even give any more of a hint than they did about where this is. do some research and maybe you can find something, i dont mean this disrespectfully just saying.

    • @lhzav
      @lhzav 3 роки тому +3

      Join the SF Hiking Club. We’ve hiked there.

  • @TheEDNC
    @TheEDNC 3 роки тому +2

    Jimmy Hoffa’s new digs... ?

  • @hughgrection9439
    @hughgrection9439 3 роки тому

    A brown water spelunker,if u will

  • @BRANDON-FJB
    @BRANDON-FJB 3 роки тому +1

    Hear that? It's the ocean ....🤢🤢🤢

  • @bennybonilla2864
    @bennybonilla2864 3 роки тому

    I’m a little bay curious

  • @bruceg1845
    @bruceg1845 3 роки тому

    sewers! You can have them

  • @kmbytt984
    @kmbytt984 2 роки тому +1

    Began to be built during the gold rush??? Or it was already there and we simply inherited lies? Who made those millions of bricks?

    • @kmbytt984
      @kmbytt984 2 роки тому

      @mermaid dream a good question is did they build the Erie Canal or simply clean it out of the mud.

  • @ralphturner3798
    @ralphturner3798 Рік тому

    It would have been better if you had been more accurate in your choice of words. I don't think that these very large tunnels "are under EVERY house and run along EVERY block."

  • @ancientage6051
    @ancientage6051 Рік тому

    Watch out for the physcotic caca monster that is still running around like a mad man down there

  • @DeanStephen
    @DeanStephen 3 роки тому

    Why is it okay for San Francisco to dump untreated waste water into the ocean, but not okay for cruise ships to do the same?

    • @hmbanton
      @hmbanton 3 роки тому +2

      it is not OK and they spend Billions with a B to prevent it.

  • @345mrse
    @345mrse 3 роки тому +5

    Did they find used condoms and empty amyl nitrate bottles?

    • @eastbaykidd8574
      @eastbaykidd8574 3 роки тому +2

      You must be thinking of the Tunnel of Fudge under Polk Street.

  • @BreDawg714
    @BreDawg714 3 роки тому +1

    That will a huge problem with sea level rise! The whole city will be in jeopardy. How is this catastrophic issue being ignored?

    • @trs4184
      @trs4184 3 роки тому

      It's honestly not terrible. It'll be expensive, but we can move the outfalls and, in the worst cases, pump to a higher elevation

    • @royreynolds108
      @royreynolds108 2 роки тому +1

      Sea level rise is a hoax and is meant to scare. It is NOT happening. There are areas where the land is sinking because of the removal of groundwater or other underground minerals.

    • @BreDawg714
      @BreDawg714 2 роки тому

      @@royreynolds108 well…sea level has risen, like a inch every 100 years.

    • @HanginInSF
      @HanginInSF Рік тому +1

      Because the ocean is exactly where its always been.

  • @susanb6289
    @susanb6289 3 роки тому

    2:41 what's with the tongue

  • @13DarkMelody
    @13DarkMelody 2 роки тому +1

    One of humanities biggest blunders; flushing human waste into our planets water.
    Human waste/animal waste should be buried in soil.
    Our world is dying.

  • @randywest1185
    @randywest1185 3 роки тому +5

    Not actually a particularly clear explanation of anything.

  • @richietattersall2122
    @richietattersall2122 4 роки тому +3

    NYC's is older, and it doesn't dump the waste directly into the ocean or the rivers unless there is so much rain the recycling plants can't deal with it.

    • @deusexme
      @deusexme 4 роки тому +16

      Same for San Francisco, if it wasn't clear. And they're not recycling plants, they're wastewater treatment plants (though some plants can recycle water back into public use).

    • @richietattersall2122
      @richietattersall2122 4 роки тому +1

      @@deusexme Got it, I used the wrong name, 62 and epilepsy for the last 16 years has not helped my memory. I am dealing with the seziures, but the damage is already done.

    • @deusexme
      @deusexme 4 роки тому +3

      @@richietattersall2122 No harm done, and my sympathies for your condition.

    • @richietattersall2122
      @richietattersall2122 4 роки тому +1

      @@deusexme Thanks, finally seeing the right Neurologist. That's all she deals with, I just found out yesterday that she has had epilepsy since her teens, that's why she has focused her whole life on dealing with it.

    • @deusexme
      @deusexme 4 роки тому

      @@richietattersall2122 best of luck. Getting the right help is a journey onto itself sometimes.

  • @lukesky6157
    @lukesky6157 4 роки тому +11

    So what smells worse? The sewers or the streets? Or are they considered the same thing now?

    • @pwp8737
      @pwp8737 3 роки тому +7

      The worst is the stench of transplants who contribute nothing to the betterment of humanity; no amount of designer cologne can mask that smell

    • @bethanyp4698
      @bethanyp4698 3 роки тому +2

      @@pwp8737 perioddd

  • @Albertangelo123
    @Albertangelo123 3 роки тому +3

    The guy at 3:02 in the clip is super cute.

  • @zerojee6236
    @zerojee6236 3 роки тому

    @2:39 super cringe

  • @alexcarrillo5510
    @alexcarrillo5510 2 роки тому

    A lot of Poo Gas..... Think about it - The next that you go drinking at those fancy $$$ Yuppie bars, and then you come home and contribute to the Sewer Taxes, as that is what your doing, and going there.... Again Think about it,

  • @jarrodyuki7081
    @jarrodyuki7081 3 роки тому

    gentrify the city.

  • @DTAP17
    @DTAP17 Рік тому

    Human trafficking

  • @CaliforniaFly
    @CaliforniaFly 4 роки тому

    Hey, let's go walk around in shit.

  • @cynthiawoodmancy2564
    @cynthiawoodmancy2564 3 роки тому +1

    you all will get to see them up close and personal if a big quake hits the city again.

  • @MegaShowmaster
    @MegaShowmaster 4 роки тому

    It sucks

  • @vilikatavuki6523
    @vilikatavuki6523 3 роки тому

    Look at me, the Bay Area people plotted against me and I became many people's enemy.

  • @crashweaverda
    @crashweaverda 3 роки тому +2

    So your sewer system is not up to EPA code. Sewer and storm water are suppose to be separated.

  • @babygirl5299
    @babygirl5299 3 роки тому

    Boooooo

  • @suzellepalacios1982
    @suzellepalacios1982 3 роки тому +1

    This is the most disappointing video ever. Lol like what?

  • @massdisruption3437
    @massdisruption3437 3 роки тому +1

    150 year old sewers,250 feet deep, cut thru granite like rock that looks like a cave, but has perfect 90’s. This is horse shat. There’s no way the time line for San Francisco is true. For population and for the buildings being built in the time they say they was built in.

    • @aquariandawn4750
      @aquariandawn4750 3 роки тому +1

      Mud flood, very interesting topic.

    • @robertstewart4953
      @robertstewart4953 3 роки тому +2

      What is your hypothesis? Are you saying the granite was cut before? I'm very interested in hearing your contention

    • @gunslingingbird74
      @gunslingingbird74 3 роки тому +7

      @@robertstewart4953 He hasn't seen your message because his tin foil hat blocked the notification.

    • @jackmccann1291
      @jackmccann1291 3 роки тому +2

      San Francisco is fake! Liberal Lie!

    • @robertstewart4953
      @robertstewart4953 3 роки тому

      Still waiting...

  • @Yahootie
    @Yahootie 4 роки тому +4

    0:23 everyone looking at their damn phones. Nobody talks to one another anymore.
    Pathetic and sad what’s happened to society. Tech sucks.

    • @niojji
      @niojji 4 роки тому +9

      ironic.

  • @HARDL3FT
    @HARDL3FT 3 роки тому +2

    I think this chick is an actress.

  • @Jmoney-db4rp
    @Jmoney-db4rp Рік тому

    Is that how the Chinese come into our land?