DATE: October 26, 2022
TO: Council Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Water Pollution Control Facility Improvements - Phase II Project Update
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Council Infrastructure Committee (CIC) reviews and comments on this report.End
SUMMARY
This report is presented to update the CIC on significant projects that will be undertaken at the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) over the next 8-year period. The WPCF Improvements - Phase II Project (Phase II Project) includes upgrades to the treatment process to limit discharge of nutrients to the San Francisco Bay in compliance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (Water Board) upcoming 2nd Watershed Permit. Excess nutrient loading is harmful as it can cause algal blooms that can lead to fish kills such as the massive fish kills resulting from the “red tide” algal bloom that happened recently in the San Francisco Bay. The City has committed to nutrient reduction in advance of upcoming regulatory requirements as an early adopter and has begun design of improvements that will enhance the treatment process and further protect the Bay.
The WPCF treats an average flow of approximately eleven million gallons per day (MGD) and meets current regulatory requirements for discharge of treated effluent to the deep waters of the San Francisco Bay. In May 2019, the Water Board announced upcoming regulatory requirements limiting discharge of nutrients (nitrogen) to the San Francisco Bay. In June 2020, the City completed a comprehensive master plan update, the WPCF Phase II Facilities Plan (Facilities Plan), to identify improvements required for the WPCF to upgrade its treatment process to incorporate nutrient reduction in the treated effluent to meet the upcoming requirements. On July 5, 2022, Council authorized an agreement with Brown and Caldwell (B&C) to begin preliminary design services for the Phase II Project. The preliminary design phase will build upon the Facilities Plan to further refine the project elements including process selection, hydraulic analysis, layout of facilities, and other tasks as required. Following preliminary design, staff will pursue funding and environmental reviews of the project and begin final design.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Admin Building & Lab Primary Drawing