Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility

PCL Construction is building the new Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility design-build project in San Francisco, California which replaces aging infrastructure and meets the island’s wastewater and recycled water needs of the future. Originally constructed in 1961, the existing plant has become outdated and under-sized.  The new facility will have an annual average wastewater treatment capacity of 1.3 million gallons per day for Treasure Island and adjacent Yerba Buena. It will also have an annual average recycled water treatment capacity of 0.4 million gallons per day for Treasure Island.

The significance of this San Francisco Public Utilities Commission project extends beyond the immediate need for upgraded infrastructure. The island is projected to gain 20,000 residents by 2036 – eight times its current population, and this new facility will play a crucial role in meeting the wastewater treatment demands of this expanded community. Half of the treated wastewater produced by the facility will be recycled for irrigation, lawns, landscaping and community parks.

This state-of-the-art facility will replace the existing plant and include a range of advanced processes to ensure efficient and effective treatment. Project scope elements for the new treatment facility include a liquid and solid stream comprised of coarse screens, grit removal, fine screens, biological nutrient feed, a membrane bioreactor and ultraviolet disinfection. Additional features in support of the facility include recycled water pumping, wetlands, stormwater pipe discharge, aerated solids holding tank, solids thickening, a recycled water on-site dispenser and an administration and maintenance building. Emphasizing both functionality and security, the project also features a perimeter security fence, stormwater handling measures and site security enhancements.

Aligned with the Envision® Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, this project set ambitious goals related to neighborhood outreach, waste reduction, habitat restoration, and emissions and energy reduction. The goals were exceeded, earning the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission an Envision Platinum Award for the new facility. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate exceptional environmental, social and economic benefits. This is only the second wastewater treatment plant in California to earn this award.

“The Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility represents a significant stride towards a greener future, with improved aesthetics, increased capacity and advanced treatment processes,” said Richard Hewitt, vice president and district manager of PCL’s Civil Infrastructure division. “The upgraded facility will offer reliable, high-quality service to all who live, work, and play on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, ensuring a sustainable water future for generations to come.”