Here's a fun exercise: next time it rains in San Francisco — which, granted, could be tomorrow or six months from now — take a look at the nearest storm drain. Is it clogged with debris? Pooling water into the street? Turning a crosswalk into a wading pool? Congratulations, you've just witnessed your tax dollars not at work.

San Francisco's drain infrastructure is one of those unsexy municipal issues that nobody wants to talk about until raw sewage is backing up into someone's basement. And yet, maintaining drains is about as basic as city government gets. We're not asking for a moon landing here. We're asking for functioning pipes.

The city's combined sewer system — which handles both stormwater and wastewater in the same pipes — serves roughly 80% of San Francisco. When drains aren't properly maintained, the consequences cascade quickly: street flooding, sewer overflows, property damage, and public health risks. This isn't hypothetical. We've seen it play out during every significant rain event in recent memory.

So what's the holdup? The usual suspects: a bloated bureaucracy that moves at geological speed, deferred maintenance budgets that kick the can down the road, and a city government that would rather announce a flashy new program than do the unglamorous work of keeping existing systems functional.

San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission oversees a massive portfolio, and to their credit, they've invested in some long-term upgrades. But investment in new projects means nothing if you're letting existing infrastructure rot. It's like buying a Tesla when your house has a leaking roof.

The fix isn't complicated. Prioritize routine maintenance. Fund it consistently. Hold departments accountable for timelines. Stop treating basic infrastructure like an afterthought.

Government's first job is to maintain the things we've already built. Everything else is a luxury. And right now, San Francisco can't even keep its drains clear.