San Francisco News Blog

Sure, many of us harbor troubling notions about hikes in the water rates, or what Hetch Hetchy Valley looked like before we opted to make it our principal water source. But if you're a sucker for cartoons, maps, and have a soft spot for recently deceased Farley creator Phil Frank -- well, then the Public Utilities Commission has a hell of a deal for you.

The PUC will gladly send you -- gratis -- three Frank-created maps: One (pictured above) portraying all the city's reservoirs and water tanks; one denoting the wastewater system (yes, that means what you think it means); and the last tracing the path of water from Hetch Hetchy to the city.

For a giant version of the above map, click here:

Beverly Hennessey, a PUC spokeswoman, estimates the organization gives away 5,000 to 10,000 of the posters a year at street fairs and schools. The lesson here:

1. People love cartoons, and;
2. People love free stuff.

The posters have been a PR coup for the PUC; whatever folks' thoughts on water practices or public power or restoring Hetch Hetchy -- damn, they do love those posters!

Incidentally, if you'd like to claim your own, the number listed on the poster accompanying this article is (415) 923-2662.

Photo   |   Jim Herd