Sunset Reservoir, body of water
Sunset Reservoir is an underground concrete basin on San Francisco's west side that covers eleven acres and holds water up to about ten meters deep. Two large storage tanks make up the main structure, with wide pipes over a meter across controlling the water flow in and out.
The reservoir was completed in 1960 and has been part of the city's water system ever since, serving multiple neighborhoods. In recent years it was upgraded with earthquake-resistant improvements including reinforced walls and seismic joints.
The reservoir sits in the Sunset District where it shapes the local landscape and residents pass by regularly. The location shows how the city brings water and energy management together in a way that people can see and understand.
The site is best visited during daylight hours as it is a working part of the water system with no regular tours available. You can view it from outside or nearby to get a sense of how the city manages its infrastructure.
The roof of the reservoir is covered with thousands of solar panels spanning about 45,000 square meters, generating clean energy for the city. This project completed in recent years shows how water and power management can work together as an integrated system.
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