City leaders have officially cut the ribbon on the long-awaited wastewater treatment plan in San Mateo, a $600 million project that will serve San Mateo, Foster City, Hillsborough and parts of Belmont.
The treatment plant — which is the largest infrastructure improvement project in San Mateo’s history — is part of a larger, 10-year and $1 billion Clean Water Program effort to enhance the city’s wastewater collection and treatment services. The program kicked off over 10 years ago in response to a cease and desist order from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which stipulated the elimination of “sanitary sewer overflows and unauthorized discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater to San Francisco Bay,” according to a previous staff report.
The treatment plant project began in 2019 but saw several pandemic-related delays and cost increases. Earlier this year, city officials were told the final price tag would be about $25 million more than anticipated. While San Mateo was the lead agency, completing much of the design and construction aspects, the Estero Municipal Improvement District — which constitutes the Foster City Council — had a 24% stake in the expansion efforts.
Still, it was able to secure significant federal and state funds, including $277 million in low-interest federal financing, nearly half the cost of the total project, said U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, adding that financing from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act was instrumental.
“San Mateo’s Clean Water program was one of only 39 projects in the country invited to apply in 2018, so it was a very competitive process,” Mullin said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The facility, located off Detroit Drive and next to Leslie Creek will treat wastewater for about 150,000 people and be able to process 78 million gallons per day, up from 60 million, which will prevent sewer overflows and unsanitary water from reaching the Bay.
“While wastewater treatment may not seem glamorous, it is essential to public health,” San Mateo Mayor Rob Newsom said. “It’s the quiet work that protects public health, safeguards our environment and gives cities peace of mind.”
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