Sludge Dewatering and Loadout Facility

• Project typeBuildings and Facilities
• Project value$30 million
• Project scheduleCompleted 2019

 Project Overview

This project constructed a new sludge dewatering and loadout facility, which allowed for decommissioning of the plant incinerators. The new facility removes water from sludge, a by-product of wastewater treatment, instead of burning it. The sludge is then transported offsite for beneficial use as compost.

The project included construction of a new, two-story building (approximately 10,000 square feet). It houses four belt filter presses, a truck loadout, and other support needs. The project also included equipment such as polymer storage and feed pumps, gravity-fed cake storage hoppers, and an odor control system. In addition to the dewatering and truck loadout facility itself, a standby diesel engine generator was installed to provide backup power. The generator can provide power to the Sludge Dewatering and Loadout Facility as well as other nearby facilities.

This project was deemed necessary because of seismic and reliability issues due to the age of the incinerators. As well, it met the community mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to beneficially use the biosolid waste of wastewater treatment.

The key project goals included:

• Minimize greenhouse gas emissions
• Use the biosolids generated at the treatment plant in a beneficial way
• Minimize odors and other environmental impacts

Before this project, the sewage sludge incinerators were the city’s largest energy use. Upon completion of the facility, the updated treatment process reduces climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

Funding for this project was provided by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board.

This project was identified in the Long-Range Facility Plan (LRFP) which was completed in 2012.

Scope of Work

• CEQA Documentation
• Completion of a State Revolving Fund Application
• Design and permitting
• Construction
• Equipment Purchase and Installation

Project Milestones

• 2017 – Secured Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan
• 2019 – Construction Completed

Project Documents

Long Range Facility Plan Final Report August 2012.pdf(PDF, 41MB)

Project Location

2501 Embarcadero Way