Verified Sustainability Achievements

Reduce Operational Water Consumption – The project team completed a water inventory, established a baseline for water consumption, and calculated the project’s estimated water savings during operations. The baseline showed that over 61 million gallons of water are needed each year to operate this wastewater treatment facility, but the project team has identified strategies to reduce the use of potable water by over 98% of that baseline, saving over 60 million gallons of potable water per year. One of the strategies used by the project team was to design the facility to use utility water for the treatment process, instead of potable water. Utility water refers to water that was sent to the plant for treatment, went through the treatment process, and was captured to be reused as part of the treatment process. The remaining 2% of potable water that is used will also be captured, treated, and reused as either more utility water for the facility or recycled water for the community.

Provide Recycled Water for the Community – The facility will generate between 156 and 357 million gallons of Title 22 recycled water for the community each year, making this project net-positive compared to the baseline of 61 million gallons of water needed to operate the facility. This high-quality disinfected recycled water can be used for open space irrigation, urban farm irrigation, commercial building plumbing, dry-season green infrastructure plant maintenance, and more.

Biological Nutrient Removal – The new facility will treat wastewater to a tertiary level, producing high-quality effluent that has also undergone biological nutrient removal. This treatment will reduce biodegradable organic matter, suspended solids, and nitrogen in the effluent discharged into the San Francisco Bay. By minimizing excess nitrogen and phosphorus, the project aims to lower the risk of harmful algal blooms, which can release toxins into the Bay’s ecosystem.

Advancing Solids Treatment for Beneficial Reuse – The project team considered the role of water resource recovery in a circular economy and the opportunity to recycle biosolids from the wastewater treatment process for use as fertilizer. Biosolids are nutrient-rich materials generated during the wastewater treatment process that have the potential to be recycled for use as a soil conditioner or fertilizer replacement in agriculture. To facilitate this, the project’s biosolids will be thickened on site (to minimize the need for additional transportation) and then sent to SFPUC’s Biosolids Management System (also awarded Envision Platinum in 2022), where the material will then be sent to external parties like farmers and ranchers for use as fertilizer.

Plan for Sustainable Communities – The existing wastewater treatment plant serving Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island has reached the end of its useful life and does not have the capacity to support future developments. This project establishes a new facility that is part of a larger development strategy to create new neighborhoods in San Francisco that prioritize sustainable development.

Stakeholder Involvement & Workforce Development – The project team has collaborated with organizations that represent both current and future residents of Treasure Island. These organizations play a crucial role in guiding the redevelopment of the Island to ensure it meets the social, economic, and environmental needs of the future community. Additionally, the project team developed a Local Workforce Development Strategy to emphasize the use of the local workforce, identify potential skill gaps, and outline skill training to increase local participation. To further improve the positive social benefits of the project, the team has partnered with local nonprofit organizations and school districts to provide funding, volunteer support, training, and internships for a diverse range of community programs.

Enhance Public Space & Amenities – An objective of this project is to transform part of a former U.S. Navy site on Treasure Island into a public space for the community. The project replaces an existing gravel lot with a modernized wastewater treatment facility that includes wetlands, landscaped areas, aesthetically pleasing architectural features, and local public artwork on the building facades. These efforts will restore natural views of the San Francisco Bay and enhance the local character of the community. The project team proactively engaged with local stakeholders to generate open dialogue about the project.

Improve Functional Habitats & Water Quality – Treasure Island is dominated by impervious paved surfaces, and this project will include restoring a previously developed gravel lot back into a natural habitat. The project team intentionally added a new wetlands area to the design to improve hydrology throughout the site, support a diverse range of aquatic flora and fauna, and provide a permanent natural buffer between the wastewater treatment facility and the San Francisco Bay.

“I’m proud to see the Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility earn national recognition with the Envision Platinum Award. This achievement reflects our city’s strong commitment to sustainability by protecting the bay and providing essential, affordable, and environmentally responsible services. It sets a powerful example of what’s possible through public dedication, bold thinking, and collaboration.”

– Daniel Lurie, Mayor, City of San Francisco

“This award underscores our commitment to environmental leadership. This project is delivering San Francisco’s first wastewater facility with nutrient removal as we continue to invest in bay health and help address a regional issue. We’re also preparing for sea level rise and advancing long-term environmental solutions. This project includes industry-leading water conservation. It will also supply recycled water for irrigation and toilet flushing and transform a former U.S. Navy site into wetlands and public space. This is another example of our commitment to strong environmental stewardship, being a good neighbor, and investing responsibly in San Francisco’s future.”

– Dennis Herrera, General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)

“PCL’s experience in delivering nearly 500 water and wastewater projects enabled us to implement solutions that achieved an Envision Platinum Award, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable infrastructure. Envision is more than just a project milestone—it reflects our role as community builders who prioritize sustainability. It’s about making a lasting impact by reducing waste, protecting the environment and enhancing the communities we serve.”

– Richard Hewitt, Vice-President and District Manager, PCL Construction Inc.