West Don't Waste

Bay Area county utilities keep focus on environmental impact

West County Wastewater (WCW) of California and OPTERRA Energy Services today announced significant progress on WCW’s comprehensive “Clean & Green” energy improvement project that modernizes critical infrastructure, strengthens energy resilience, and significantly reduces WCW’s environmental impact, according to an October 8 press release.

The project includes a microgrid for backup power, solar energy installations, a cogeneration system, electric vehicle charging stations, energy-efficient lighting upgrades, and an impactful expansion of the WCW’s equalization basins. The improvements are expected to deliver nearly $83 million in savings over the life of the project, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent, and increase WCW’s ability to handle extreme weather events.

The centerpiece of the project is a modernization of the solids process and handling system, enabling WCW’s Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant to produce Class A EPA biosolids.

The system includes:

• New digesters

• Rotary drum thickeners

• Sludge dewatering equipment

• A thermal dryer

• An additional Equalization Basin

• An upgraded headworks

  
  

These improvements transform wastewater residuals into a potentially reusable source of fertilizer, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers while diverting material from landfills.

"The new process is also expected to save nearly two million dollars in annual disposal costs," according to the press release. "The project demonstrates how wastewater facilities can move beyond traditional treatment to become resource-recovery and renewable-energy facilities, capturing valuable resources and energy from the treatment process."