What's New
Plant Master Plan Community Advisory Group
Constructed in 1956, the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant has evolved into a world-class facility. Now over 50 years old, however, some of its most critical operational facilities are nearing the end of their service cycles and require replacement or major rehabilitation. This provides an opportunity for investigating new and greener technologies to ensure the Plant continues to operate efficiently and at the lowest feasible cost.
Members of the Community Advisory Group will participate in a three-year process to develop a Plant Master Plan, recently launched to guide improvements to the Plant’s facilities, operations and land use over the next 30 years. The Master Plan process will ensure the Plant continues its important role in protecting the environment, public health, and in supporting the region’s economy.
To be considered for membership, download the Application Form. Deadline for receipt is Friday, June 20, 2008. You may also request a copy of the application form by emailing Paul Prange at paul.prange@sanjoseca.gov or by calling (408) 975-2591.
Plant Master Plan Frequently Asked Questions
What does the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution
Control Plant do and whom does it serve?
The San José/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
(Plant) is one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment
facilities in the U.S. It cleans the wastewater of over 1.3
million people that live and work in the 300-square mile area
encompassing San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell,
Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno. Around 115
million gallons of wastewater, called influent, arrives at
the Plant daily. The treated wastewater, called effluent,
is released to the South San Francisco Bay and about ten percent
is reused as recycled water for irrigation and cooling towers.
What is this Master Plan Effort and what does it
cover?
The Plant Master Plan (Plan) covers the facilities, processes,
and land uses inside the 2,680-acre boundary of the Plant
located in north San José (Alviso) at the southern
tip of the San Francisco Bay. Former Salt Pond A18 will also
be incorporated into the Plan. The Plan will prioritize and
set a sustainable framework for integrating future infrastructure
projects with land use development for the next 50 years.
The infrastructure component will compile and coordinate current
and planned major capital improvements projects. The land
use component will incorporate the current and anticipated
operational and regulatory needs of the Plant and fit within
the framework of the San José 2020 General Plan and
Alviso Master Plan. The Plant Master Plan will not include
the sanitary sewer collection system, storm water collection,
water efficiency programs, or any area outside of the Plant’s
property.
What is Pond A18?
Another key element of the master plan effort is the planning
for Pond A18. The pond was part of the Cargill Salt facilities
until it was sold to the City of San José in 2005 as
bufferland. It is one of the largest former salt ponds at
856 acres and is directly adjacent to the Plant. Future uses
of this area will be consistent with the South Bay Salt Pond
restoration effort while also addressing long term operational
needs of the Plant.
Who is on the Steering Committee?
Currently, the Steering Committee consists of San José
Environmental Services Department staff as well as staff from
tributary agencies. The tributary agencies are owners of treatment
capacity of the Plant. These agencies include: City of San
José, City of Santa Clara, City of Milpitas, West Valley
Sanitation District, Cupertino Sanitary District, County Sanitation
District 2-3, Burbank Sanitary District, and Sunol Sanitary
District. A stakeholder process in early 2007 to better define
the Plan’s objectives will be initiated to include other
interested agencies, environmental, business, and community
stakeholders.
What is the Master Plan effort timeline?
Land-use alternatives, potential uses, and an infrastructure
needs assessment, are the first elements of this planning
effort and will be developed in collaboration with the Steering
Committee, stakeholders, and a technical consultant team.
Stakeholder and community input will be solicited throughout
2007. Environmental documents and initial plans will be prepared
in 2008, and the Plant Master Plan is targeted for completion
in 2009.
Documents
San
José/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant/Pond
A18 Master Planning: Plant Lands Opportunities and Constraints
Assessment
This report documents a broad range of land-use opportunities
and constraints (operational, physical, biological,
and social) to these opportunities on the 1856 acres
of land controlled by the Water Pollution Control Plant.
(PDF format, 18.9 MB)
San
José/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant/Pond
A18 Master Planning: Pond A18 Existing Conditions and
Opportunities and Constraints Assessment
This report documents the current conditions and a broad
range of land-use opportunities and constraints (operational,
physical, biological, and social) to these opportunities
on the 826 acre, former Cargill salt pond now under
the control Water Pollution Control Plant. (PDF format, 32.9 MB) |
Teachers,
bring wastewater treatment into your classroom with
these six colorful posters interpreting the Plant Master
Plan, including: