The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has selected Jacobs to deliver a wastewater treatment plant upgrade estimated at $1bn.
The work will be carried with PCL Construction under a progressive design-build arrangement at the Southeast Treatment Plant, San Francisco’s largest wastewater facility.
The plant treats nearly 80% of the city’s wastewater.
According to Jacobs, the Nutrient Reduction Project will introduce advanced treatment processes to reduce total inorganic nitrogen discharged into San Francisco Bay.
The upgraded process is intended to meet updated state and federal environmental requirements, according to the SFPUC.
SFPUC infrastructure assistant general manager Stephen Robinson said: “This is a major investment to help protect San Francisco Bay by reducing nutrients in wastewater. San Francisco is doing its part to protect the health of the bay. This project, along with our new state-of-the-art treatment plant on Treasure Island, which also removes nutrients, demonstrates that commitment.
"The new treatment process will meet updated state and federal environmental requirements. This ambitious project will remake the heart of San Francisco’s largest treatment plant while that plant continues to operate, handling 80% of the city’s wastewater. Jacobs and PCL have worked with us on major wastewater projects before, and that experience will be critical as we take on a project of this size and complexity.”
The project will be delivered while the Southeast Treatment Plant remains operational. Robinson said Jacobs and PCL’s previous work on major wastewater schemes for the utility would support delivery of the project.
The scheme is also expected to include opportunities for local businesses and residents through the SFPUC’s Social Impact Partnership.
Jacobs said its support will include investments in community health, education, and workforce training and development.
Jacobs executive vice-president Tom Meinhart said: “Jacobs brings decades of experience delivering critical wastewater infrastructure projects for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, including upgrades at the Southeast Treatment Plant. Supported by our strong California presence and global technical leadership, our team understands the operational, regulatory and environmental drivers shaping treatment strategies in the region.”
Jacobs has more than 25 years of experience in water design-build projects and has delivered more than 150 such projects and programmes. Its previous work includes upgrades at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility and the Donald C Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility.
