Wastewater Treatment Plant Ribbon Cutting

On September 24th, San Mateo celebrated completion of our $597 Million state-of-the-art Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade.  This is the largest Infrastructure project in City history and is the biggest part of the City’s $1 billion Clean Water Program.  The upgraded facility replaces 75-year-old infrastructure, eliminates sewer overflows, and introduces advanced treatment technologies that protect public health and safeguard San Francisco Bay for generations to come.

This amazing facility’s features include: 

• One of the largest BioActiflo systems in the world, enabling treatment of up to 78 million gallons per day during heavy storms. 

• A 5.3-million-gallon Underground Flow Equalization System (UFES) at the San Mateo Event Center— one of the largest wastewater storage facilities of its kind in California — preventing neighborhood flooding and protecting the Bay. 

• Five-stage Biological Nutrient Removal and Membrane Bioreactor systems, making this one of the most advanced treatment facilities in California. 

• A LEED Silver–certified administration building, one of the most sustainable treatment plants in the nation, plus new public pathways, landscaping, and educational signage.

This Plant was made possible in part by $277 million in low-interest funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Our current Congressman, Kevin Mullin, and State Assemblymember Diane Papan (a San Mateo D1 resident) were critical in securing this funding which saved the San Mateo taxpayer millions of dollars in tax payments.

The plant is co-owned by the City of San Mateo and Foster City/EMID and also serves half of Hillsborough, the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District, and parts of Belmont, and unincorporated San Mateo County —more than 170,000 residents.

I encourage you to contact the Wastewater Treatment Plant (650.522.7380) and go on a public tour of the facilities at 2050 Detroit Drive.  It is truly an impressive investment that will protect our community for decades to come.