The finishing touches on a decadeslong treatment plant project is nearing the finish line, though some ongoing issues could extend final completion until the end of the year.
The $1 billion program includes the construction of a brand-new wastewater treatment plant — one of the biggest infrastructure improvement projects in the area — as part of its effort to enhance the city’s wastewater collection and treatment services. The program kicked off more than 10 years ago. Foster City has a 24% ownership stake in the plant, with San Mateo serving as the lead agency.
Construction on the treatment plant was completed in the latter half of 2025, but other work remains before it can be fully operational.
"We are getting closer and closer to the end. One of the larger scope items we have left is the conversion of the existing aeration basin to a flow equalization basin, which will store excess water during wet weather events,” Senior Civil Engineer Francine Magno said during a recent City Council meeting. “This work is ongoing and is expected to be completed in June 2026."
The entire program has previously gone through some budget increases over the project lifetime, and Magno said that while it is almost done, there might be some minor delays closing out a few additional tasks.
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"One thing staff would like to bring to the council's attention is the potential schedule delay we were just informed of last week," Magno said. "San Mateo advised Foster City staff of a few issues they're finding out that could potentially extend the project to the end of this year … we will share that with the council as soon as we get more detail."
The expansion project’s estimated $603 million cost — one major component of the entire Clean Water initiative — still remains steady, according to the presentation.
"I'm excited that this project is pretty much on time and on budget. It's going to be exciting, and I look forward to your responses back to those minor issues that we're dealing with,” Councilmember Patrick Sullivan said during the meeting.
The entire program is expected to reach full completion by December 2026, with the current construction project aiming for a July completion.
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