Sometimes the City’s sewage system — that unseen network of pipes and treatment plants that flushes away so much unpleasantness from our lives — actually smells malodorous! However, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) tries hard to prevent these offensive odors. You can help them out by reporting sewer smells to the 24-hour Odor Hotline: (415) 695-2096. The SFPUC will then investigate your complaint and arrange for any necessary maintenance or cleaning. The information you provide will also be added to a database that the agency uses to locate potential problem areas within the system. 

The Department of Public Works (DPW) also urges residents not to sweep or dump waste into catch basins along the sidewalks. Catch basins are meant for storm water overflow only — not litter, fish scales, yard trimmings, oil, cleaning fluids or paints. During the summer when the weather is dryer and warmer, debris in catch-basins simply collects and eventually starts to stink. If you feel a catch-basin near your home needs to be unclogged, call the DPW at (415) 28-CLEAN.

A less common but more urgent problem than odor is sewer backups. These emergencies, as well as any others related to the sewer system, should be reported immediately to the SFPUC. Just use the Odor Hotline at (415) 695-2096 and your call will be transferred to the appropriate department. 

To report other air quality and pollution issues, call the 24-hour hotline at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at 1-800-334-ODOR (6367).

For information on municipal sewer service, see our Water & Sewer Service article.