PCL Construction, a leader in water and wastewater infrastructure, is more than halfway through construction of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s $165 million Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility. Recently recognized with an Envision Platinum Award, the facility sets a new benchmark for sustainability because it is being delivered 64% more sustainably than the industry average. As a cornerstone of Treasure Island’s redevelopment, the project will support the man-made island’s growing population.
Originally built in the 1930s as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition, Treasure Island has served as both a naval station and a popular movie filming location since World War II. Now, the area is set to be transformed with restaurants, shops and up to 8,000 new homes, aiming to accommodate nearly 20,000 residents by 2036. The Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility will play a critical role in creating a sustainable future for the island and supporting population growth in the San Francisco Bay area.
The new facility will replace the existing plant and include a range of advanced processes to increase capacity to 3.9 million gallons per day. Half of the treated wastewater produced by the facility will be recycled for irrigation, lawns, landscaping and community parks.
“This facility embodies the future of sustainable infrastructure, with innovative features that demonstrate how we can meet community needs while protecting the environment," said David Griffin, PCL operations manager. “PCL’s experience building more than 470 water and wastewater projects allowed us to bring forward creative solutions to help achieve an Envision Platinum Award and support sustainable growth in the region.”
In recent years, the push for sustainable development has extended beyond buildings and into civil infrastructure. Just as buildings can earn LEED certifications for green construction, infrastructure projects like wastewater facilities now strive to complete independent verification of project sustainability performance using the Envision Framework. Envision is a rating system from the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure encouraging practices that reduce environmental impact, improve social outcomes and enhance economic value. PCL’s work on the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility demonstrates these principles in action, bringing innovative solutions to achieve an Envision Platinum Award and setting a benchmark for critical civil infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Achieving an Envision Platinum Award requires a project to demonstrate both sustainable and resilient practices across various dimensions. For example, the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility is the first nutrient removal project in San Francisco that will tackle environmental challenges, including algae buildup in the bay, which has had adverse effects on marine life.
In nutrient removal, bacteria "consume" ammonia, a nutrient abundant in human and animal waste, and convert it into nitrate. In the next stage, these bacteria go a step further by "digesting" the nitrate and transforming it into nitrogen gas, which is harmlessly released into the atmosphere. By removing excess nutrients, the new infrastructure will help restore balance to the ecosystem, benefitting both sea life and the island’s growing community.
For PCL, achieving an Envision Platinum Award on the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility isn’t just about fulfilling a project requirement; it aligns with the company’s mission as community builders.
“Achieving Envision on this project ties back to PCL’s role as community builders who care about our communities,” said Khal Ammari, PCL project manager. “Envision is more than just a project requirement; it’s about helping communities—reducing waste, caring for the environment—and it’s something we truly believe in.”
PCL introduced several innovative methods to meet Envision criteria on the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility:
- Efficient water use through crushed gravel techniques
One of the main structures on the project, the Biological Nutrient Removal building, is partially underground, which presented a significant challenge for achieving the necessary compaction due to high moisture levels in the soil. Traditional methods would have required extensive dewatering, drilling numerous wells, navigating complex permitting, and managing wastewater by treating and disposing of it. Instead, the team suggested importing crushed gravel (Class A/B rock) to achieve compaction without introducing more moisture, which was more cost-effective and efficient. - Resourceful hydrotesting with existing structures
Structures must undergo hydrotesting to identify defects, detect leaks and ensure safety. Typically, hydrotesting each structure would require a massive amount of water, potentially consuming thousands of gallons per test. Instead, PCL implemented an innovative solution to save resources by hydrotesting structures sequentially and transferring water between them. This method involved pumping water from one structure to another, effectively recycling it and saving approximately 350,000 gallons of water—equivalent to filling more than half of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. - Waste reduction through shotcrete technology
The team’s adoption of shotcrete over traditional cast-in-place concrete on five of the structures reduced the need for extensive formwork, significantly decreasing waste. Shotcrete is a type of concrete that is sprayed onto a surface using a high-pressure air compressor. To gain client approval, the team created a mock-up, ensuring that shotcrete’s finish met high standards. This method streamlined the construction process while achieving the desired aesthetic and proper concrete finish. - Efficient site utilization for environmental footprint reduction
On this compact 7-acre site, early collaboration between PCL, the client, and the design team, Stantec, enabled an innovative design-build approach, reducing the project's environmental footprint. By optimizing layout and design, PCL saved roughly one acre, preserving space for future development while cutting down on overall project costs. The design-build procurement model played a crucial role in achieving these efficiencies by fostering early alignment among all stakeholders.
“This site utilization example demonstrates the value of the design-build model and working closely with the designer and owner from the start to maximize value and stay on schedule,” said Ammari. “We were able to develop early-out packages that identified long-lead procurement items and critical activities that needed priority. This approach not only accelerated the timeline but also allowed us to achieve the best value for the project within the time available.”
The Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility represents a significant step forward in sustainable infrastructure, blending advanced technology with environmental stewardship to support the growing needs of the San Francisco Bay Area. As Treasure Island transforms into a vibrant, thriving community, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a cornerstone for a sustainable and resilient future.