#United States #San Francisco #Treasure Island #Envision Award #SFPUC

Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility Earns Envision Platinum Award

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has recently marked a significant achievement in sustainable infrastructure with the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility. As it currently undergoes construction, this facility is poised to become a trailblazer for wastewater treatment in California, having received the esteemed Envision Platinum Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).

This award categorizes the facility as one of merely three wastewater treatment plants across the United States to earn the Platinum designation, which is reserved for projects that significantly contribute environmental, social, and economic benefits. Achieving such a level requires rigorous independent verification by the ISI to ensure the project's sustainable practices.

Developed by PCL Construction, a leader in water and wastewater infrastructure, in association with Stantec — known for its exemplary sustainable design and engineering — the facility represents a $165 million investment to replace an aging wastewater treatment plant. It aims to support the transformation of Treasure Island into a robust mixed-use community featuring up to 8,000 new residences alongside commercial and public spaces, projecting completion by 2026.

Key Innovations for Sustainability

To earn the Envision Platinum Award, the project team made focused efforts on sustainable design and construction methods that minimize environmental impacts and maximize community benefits. Notable innovations include:

• - Operational Water Efficiency: The facility is engineered to manage substantial reductions in water consumption, with predictive studies revealing an annual operational need of over 61 million gallons. Through strategic adjustments, the team expects to decrease potable water use by more than 98%, thereby saving over 60 million gallons yearly. The remaining water will be repurposed for facility use and irrigation.

• - Community Water Reclamation: The facility is anticipated to produce between 156 and 357 million gallons of recycled water annually, designated for community utilization, thus enhancing local water resources.

• - Advanced Nutrient Management: The innovative design allows for treating wastewater to a tertiary standard, which involves biological nutrient removal that effectively minimizes organic and nitrogen content in wastewater before it re-enters San Francisco Bay. This is crucial for decreasing risks associated with harmful algal blooms in the bay.

• - Community Engagement: Throughout the project's development phases, the project team actively collaborated with stakeholders, including both current and future Treasure Island residents, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions. Their efforts aim to enrich the community through funding, volunteerism, and skill-development opportunities.

• - Public Space Enhancement: The initiative includes plans to revamp a former U.S. Navy site into inviting public spaces. Old gravel lots will give way to modern architecture, landscaped areas, and public art installations, creating a vibrant urban landscape.

Commitment to Leadership in Sustainability

Dennis Herrera, SFPUC's General Manager, expressed pride in the project's acknowledgment, emphasizing its role in advancing environmental health and addressing regional challenges such as sea level rise. The facility embodies cutting-edge water conservation efforts while contributing to local ecosystems and communities.

Richard Hewitt, a vice president at PCL, remarked that achieving the Envision Platinum Award highlights their commitment to responsible development and the lasting impact they aim to make within communities through sustainable practices.

Likewise, Stantec's regional leader, Billy Wong, noted that the project's design consistently reflects the needs and aspirations of the Treasure Island community, aiming for sustainable progress.

As the project progresses towards fruition, the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility stands as a paradigm of how infrastructure can evolve to meet the demands of contemporary environmental governance while fostering community development and sustainability. The future of Treasure Island looks promising, with the facility at its heart, demonstrating a proactive approach to ecological conservation and urban revitalization.