Nutrient Optimization Project

This project significantly upgraded this 16 MGD plant built on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. The goal of the project was to advance the level of wastewater treatment and to remove the nutrients from the incoming wastewater. With the growing concerns of the nutrient levels being dumped into the San Francisco Bay, Oro Loma was one of the first agencies to take action and improve its wastewater process in order to help the environment.

The scope of work consisted of construction of a new aeration basin, new blower building, modification of three existing basins with structural upgrades and a new fine bubble-diffusion aeration system in all four of the aeration basins, local outfall pumping and piping from the disinfection channels to the existing dual outfall pipe with local outfall metering, de-chlorination feed system, miscellaneous mechanical modifications, miscellaneous electrical and instrumentation modifications, and appurtenant work as-needed to construct a complete and operational facility as specified in the contract documents. A unique aspect of the project was the tidal intrusion of groundwater and building the entire project on bay mud requiring the installation of more than 360 driven concrete piles. Additional scope added to the project included the demolition of several old tanks and structures, as well as the installation of a new Magnesium Hydroxide chemical dosing system with a retrofitted containment structure, new MgOH2 tank, and chemical metering pumps. 

This project received the 2021 California Association Sanitation Agencies Award of Excellence.