accelerate what happens naturally in nature is biomimickery that happens in tidal estuaries. it brings in nutrients to the microbes. it's delivered in the air, and does the rest of the process, chewing up those nutrients in the water and producing nitrogen and carbon. we're doing that in a system where we're creating 12 to 16 tides per day. >> the wastewater for our building begins its journey by travel tog our primary tank which is a fairly normal looking manhole. beneath these manholes is a 10,000 gallon primary tank. there are two chambers. the trash chamber which filters out the trash and plastics and the organic solids settle out just as normal wastewater treatment process is.

the water then flows to an equalization tank, a recirculation tank, and then on to tidal flow wetlands cell 1a. all those these cells look to be only 3 or 4 feet deep, they're actually 8 feet deep below this concrete sidewalk. the water repeatedly cycle into the cell from the bottom up. as the water comes up into this cell, it meets the microbes here to treat the wastewater. they flourish off the organics found in the wastewater. after multiple cycles, most of the wastewater treatment has already occurred and the water then flows to the vertical cells located around the corn iron polk street. 2c is located half outside on polk street and half inside in the building lobby. after the final polishing, the water flows to the disinfection room of the basement of the building. there the water goes through two disinfection processes. first ultraviolet light, and second a dosing of chlorine. the treated water is stored in

a 5,000 gallon reclaimed water tank where it is pumped throughout the building for toilet flushing purposes. the treatment cycle is complete and the water is reused again and again. this new building features a rainwater harvesting system. rainwater is captured from the building's roof and the children's play area along the side of the building and sent down to our disinfection room where there is a 25,000 gallon sis tern. the rainwater receives minor treatment and is used to irrigate the building's trees and landscaping. >> when we're resues using water we have on-site, we're not purchasing new water and we're also not putting sewage down into the sewer system which is costs money. this is a demonstration project of 5,000 gallons a day. it is the beginning of understanding and feeling comfortable with this technology that can be scaled up into eco districts and community scale systems, campus-type systems where in those situations when the water is reused and the numbers are much higher, 50,000, 100,000,

200,000 gallons a day, imagine the savings on that that you're getting. you're not purchasing freshwater and you're not using the sewer and being charged appropriately. this wastewater processing and reuse technology is cutting edge. and although it's been successfully implemented in other cities, it will be one of the first such installations in an urban office building. >> here is a city agency that treats wastewater, but they send no wastewater to the treatment facility. that says a lot. >> it's got a 12 gallon per day occupancy using 5,000 gallons per day with a building officing 1,000 people. that turns out to save over 2.7 million gallons a year. >> the public utilities commission runs water, power and sewer services for san francisco. we can't afford to be out of business after an earthquake. so, we're thinking about building a building. that building is going to hold

our operations center and our emergency operations center for things like earth quack. that building had to be immediately occupiable. great. but we can do better than that. so, this new technology that we ended up using was a concrete building that straps basically, that goes through the interior of the building and allow the building to turn or twist as part of an earthquake as it corrects itself. >> in the course for the puc building, we've actually incorporated in addition to that steel that's embedded in the monolithic concrete, specialized high strength cables that are not bonded to the sound concrete, but are threaded through essentially hollow conduits in the cast concrete. and when those cables are spread, they're actually anchored and they're actively in other floors and pressing down, forcing that concrete wall into a state of compression. and that's the characteristic which allows the building to

shake, absorb energy from the earthquake, deform, and also come back to its original geometry. what that meant was the building would be functional. it meant it wouldn't have to be abandoned and fixed. >> we have probably the greatest specification for concrete ever developed for a project that has a really innovative structural system. one of the things that's evident from the research that's been done is that concrete is responsible for a significant amount of co2 production. and that's worldwide. and we developed a way in which we could incorporate replacement material such as flag and fly ashe to supplement the portable cement and allow a big reduction in those carbon emissions associated with production from that poured cement. >> concrete for the building

has a 70% replacement value with recycled materials fly ashe and recycled materials that would otherwise go to waste. reducing our carbon footprint in half. >> the way that we often do buildings in the city are often projects in the city is we go out and we do a low bid. somebody bids on something, we have to do everything that's expected out completely. and everything after that thorable change prosecretary is very difficult. spec ed out. >> we use design bid delivery method. in this one we did a construction manager gc, which really means that we bring the contractor on board as we design and they participate in the design. it brings a lot of collaboration. >> the department of public works decided to try a more team oriented approach with this project. the best value approach.

they really went to to us come on board as a team member and work with them. >> what that meant was the contractor allowing key subcontractors such as the electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems, would always be reviewed and looked at for constructability, for cost constraints, for scheduling. >> and it was a risk for the city. it was a change for the city, it was something very, very different. we met all of our project parameters, the budget, the schedule. we love this project. it is a fantastic example of what can happen when you take a risk, you do something differently, and you work together. you get a great result. >> one of the things we're going to have in that building is going to be this media wall in the lobby. and that media wall has several things that it

can show people, but one of the things it can show our employees and our visitors is how much energy, how much water, what we're using in the building. >> the wall is based on building data. we have total energy use per floor. we also have energy use in the building today that will show information and percentages on how much is being used today versus an average day. there's also information from solar, how much solar the building is producing, and showing the savings from solar. we also have reclaimed water and that will be shown per month. the center section is dedicated to water, wastewater and power. we have live information showing us how much wastewater has been treated so far from the night before. there is also a twitter feed and information that anyone that comes in can see, you know, current news and information from the twitter. there's also bart information, when is the next bart leaving, when is the next train departing.

and there is weather, hetch hetchy, and weather at san francisco. >> the physical arts wall is comprised of 54 feet, 160 high-definition monitors that has a 3-d motion detection that allows you to approach the wall and then to look at the contents that is there in front of you, which is a beautiful artistic narrative. and then as you move towards it, it activates the content that comes up. >> this is one of the applications we developed with communications team at the puc and it's called, and it's about water cycle, how the water comes down from the snow in yosemite, into the mouth of the reservoir, gets treated, produces power, comes all the way down to the city and gets charged and leaves the bay. we developed a motion tracking system taw four cameras on the ceiling here which detects people when they approach the wall and presents information pop ups. so, you can enjoy it from a

distance as a landscape, but once again up close there is another level of information that's educational about this facility. >> fire fly by artist ned con is an art installation which rises straight from the golden gate avenue sidewalk to the top of the building. >> the fire fly wall will be 5 by 5 polley carbon plates that will move with the wind and show a wave effect in the daytime. when those also swing back and forth and they hit the fulcrum, it will also set up an led light that will cover the fire fly. so, at nighttime people in another part of san francisco can see the side of our building and about 20 feet wide and 10 stories high will be a wall that will flickr on and off like fire flies at nighttime. it will be so energy efficient that if all those lights go on, it will be the equivalent of a

40 watt bulb. and also the new piece of artwork going all the way down the side of the building, which looks like this incredible wind ripples on a pond. and i thought, oh, my god, how incredible, how wonderful. >> inside the building we will have water walls in the main staircase, and the water will be dripping through the side of the wall. you'll be able to hear it, you'll be able to see it. we call the san francisco artists and galleries and said, hey, we want a building that is a place people want to come to work in and to visit. we're now going to be buying art from between 08 and 100 local artists in san francisco and the arts commission will be hanging in that art the next couple of months in the building. >> we'll have a cafe in the lobby. the cafe will be serving people there. they'll have a child care

center on-site so people with children can come to work. if something happens to their child they can walk right downstairs. it has enough space for 65 kids. >> we looked at various ways that we could be creative in promoting alternative transportation. we did this by providing bike racks and showers in the building. we do see the number of parking spaces to two parking spaces and providing electrical charging stations for alternative vehicles. >> it's time for us to have a home that all of us can be proud of. >> and we couldn't do this without everybody working together on the one goal, which is, let's build something that reflects the honor of hetch hetchy, the honor of the greatest engineering feats, reflects what our puc does for our public, and for generations to come it will educate everybody.

>> i'm really proud that one of the greenest and most sustainable buildings is here in norm in district 6. the wind turbine, the solar power, the living machines, recycled water that ed and the mayor has already spoken to. and what's also amazing about this building is it's not just internally, but you can actually see it on the outside. so, when people are walking around the city they can actually see the green and environmental aspects. >> what better way to show that the puc cares about the environment and the puc is going to show everyone else, you can do this, too. and you can do it in a way that makes sense, that's affordable, and that is better for the environment. >> and this is the most energy efficient government building in the united states today, if not the world. and it is an example that the entire united states can look to and say, that's what we need to do to save our city hundreds of millions of dollars in energy consumption a year and set an example to everybody of

how to save energy, to be green, to be sustainable, to be responsible. the city is leading the way. >> it will be immediately recognizable and iconic from various parts of the city or even if you see a picture. that's the sfpuc building. it's a wonderful building. ♪ ♪out.

>> hi, i'm japanese with the san francisco public utilities combination sometime people call me sewer girl our systems has

served the area for 1 hundred and 50 years we're planning you understand public health and our environment don't think that so come in down and see how >> okay. let's get into the program today is utility control and fire hazard material. we will teaching how to turn your utility's off and what hazardous materials to look for. >> the first thing is natural gas. what do you know about natural gas? flammable. it goes, boom. it's important to shut this off. we use it for cooking, eating

and hot water. there were 40,000 people that called pg and e about their gas. that means they call turned off their gas? did they need to do that? when do you have to? when there is a problem. how long did you think it takes pg and e to get out and turn it back on? 45,000 people. days weeks, may be a month. who has seen this in the streets. a lot of muck is in there is it's full of dirt and weeds you turn it to the right to tighten it and left to loosen it. your home work you have to look at your house, pop open the lid, look in there see what's going on in there it's not nice

and clean like this. who has seen this around their house? everybody. each meter has a shut off. you want to find out where your gas meter is. you can keep track of your usage but you will know how to shut it off. here's the shut off. i have some tools up here, you can look at these. any hardware store has these. they fit on this and it allows you to turn off the gas. when we talk about the wheels it's these on top. if you have a broken pipe. they will spin like mad. when it's daylight, go home, you have the heater on or the oven, look at the top wheels they are spinning got now mad.

if you turn on every gas appliance in our house they will move. if you break a pipe it will spin like mad. you smell gas it's dad egg smell it's methane. it rises, it's lighter than air. if you smell the natural gas you want to get out. shut off the gas and ventilate the room. get the natural gas out. to test it you want to turn it an eighth of a turn and turn it back to the way it it was. notice the little thing? that's going straight with the flow of the pipe that means it's open. if it's across that means you

turned off the gas. the eighth of a turn you didn't turn it off you just moved it. these are in better shape. if you can get to this valve, safely, the building's collapsed on it you can't get to it you have to use the one in the street. pg and e put all the meters outside the houses in a lot of the neighborhoods, these are pretty easy to get to. they are easy to find. if you can find the little round circle in the sidewalk. if you look directly at the house you will find this meter and this shut off on the ground floor. in is a closeup of the shut off. in is the wrench i recommend you you use it for other things. they are cheap and they will

work. this is great because you can use it somewhere else if you have to. an adjustable open end wrench. a diagram are off/on. shut off valve. another shut off coming out of the dirt. another problem you have a wrench that doesn't quite work. we like to leave the wrenches next to the shut off. tie is off with a wire. we will cover it again. when you shut off the gas. if the build's's collapsed good idea to shut it off there are probably pipes broken and you can have a gas leak. if you smell gas, leave the /tkaors open, don't operate electric switches that will cause a spark. don't use your cell phone. use the cell phone outside or a neighbor's phone to call 911. get everyone out of the

building, close the gas valve and forget it. don't open it up again. there is probably a leak and you will have troubles wait for pg and e to test it. what's the most important thing in an emergency? everyday, water. somewhere in front of the house you will see these. san francisco water department. how do you get in here? easy. a long screwdriver or pry bar. pull it this way and the whole thing will lift out. even if it's crusty you can get it out. that's what it looks like. that's brass covered water meter. there it is. how would you tell if water was leaking if the building without going in there? that thing woulding pegged.

this guy would be spinning. here's how you shut it on and off. like the gas thing, the valve thing with the square head. there are a couple of ears. you lineup the 2 ears. there is a hole to put a padlock. if it's on ita in direction of the /phroe. flow. when it's off, these 2 lineup. the 2 ears will lineup so you can put a padlock in there. that tells you you hava shut off. like that gas circle thing, if you see that thing in a sidewalk and you are standing in the street and you have that in front of you and look directly at the house you will find the gas shut off. same with the water. if you have the water thing in front of you and look directly

at the house. 9 times out of 10 on the floor you will find the main water shut off, here. a lot of places have the sprinklers if you shut off the main in the street you shut off the fire systems. so, if you have a choice of shutting off the water in somebody's house go for the one that coming between the foundation, usually it's in the garage or basement. you turn it to the right. right to tighten, left to loosen. this is easier to turn on and off if you is get in the garage. if you can't use the one in the street. do it only if it's say safe to do so. if it's dangerous, leave it. >> this is a basic electric

system. a switch and the screw in fuses. there are not many of these anymore. most have the breakers. okay. to show you what they look like. on, off. this is a safety box you can't get it open until you turn it off. a couple of screw in fuses. this is a cartridge and screw in fuses. here it says on and off. pull it out stick it upside down and stick it back in. circuit break /-rs this is what most have. you have the meter. that's how pg and e /khrarpblgs us. you have the big main. usually there are 60 or a hundred or 50. the little guys are 20-15-30. if you want to shut off the

power you shut off the little guys first than the main. when you throw a switch there is the arch. like water when water flows in an old house any you shut it off quick you get the hammer effect? that's like electricity. is it safe to do it if you smell natural gas? show of hands. >> nobody has their hands up. it's not safe to flicking any switches if you smell natural gas. how about if there is smoke coming out of an outlet. if you shut this off in an area where there is no gas, good idea. >> just about anything can be

a hazardous material, cleaners, solvants, hair products anything can be hazardous. they are every where. the only time they are hazardous if they are misused our there is a disaster. do you see these in san francisco? that's probably propane. we have a port. in an industrial area. it identified where they are stored. are there hazardous storage places in this air? no. are there a dry cleaners? yes. who remembers grand auto. they have solvants, cleaners, octane boosters. it's great until there is a natural disaster.

where does this end up? on the floor. it gets mixed together and becomes a hazardous soup and it's usually slippery. safeway, what do you think they have in there, kids? we will show you. bleach. okay. bleach is great i used it this afternoon to get my shirt white it's great. do we need this much bleach at home? no. safeway need it? probably not. look what they have across from the bleach. it says don't mix ammonia and bleach makes a gas. these are bad things to mix with bleach. who's got these under their sink in i do. everybody does. you want to separate the ones that don't go to together.

how do you find out? read the labels. these are department of transportation placards, they are colored. they are all red. they have the sort of flame thing up there. the little number here and number here. we've got books in our rig that tell us what these are. based on a number. we will see a 1219, look in the book and say a truck carrying 1219 and it's leaking every where what do we have. george, we have 92 octane gasoline, that's not good. we call people and get help. we as volunteers are not going to be hazardous material people. you need to know this is red, it's flammable. if there is a problem, let us know and keep people away from it. these are more placards.

explosives, anything orange, reds yellow. oxidizer, that's going to make a small fire into a really big fire without much help. inhalation hazards, don't breathe it. okay. the rest it self explanatory. there is nfpa 704 diamonds, you don't need to know that blue, health. :number 4 it will wreck your health fast. 0 means no problem. red, same. 4 means it's a fire hazard and poof, catch on fire