Completion of Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center Expands Reuse Opportunities
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), the City of San Jose and Black & Veatch announced the completion of the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center project (SVAWPC). The four-year project expands the existing South Bay Water Recycling system. It also increases the quality and quantity of recycled water treatment for the region. Black & Veatch was the prime consultant for the project.
The SVAWPC uses microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection to produce highly purified water. The final treated product is then blended with an existing recycled water supply. This improves the overall quality level of the treated water. The project is the largest advanced water purification plant in Northern California and the first of its kind in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“Black & Veatch has helped to ensure that the people of Santa Clara County have an environmentally sound, cost-effective water supply.”
Jim Fiedler | Chief Operating Officer of SCVWD
The new facility helps enable a shift away from high-energy cost imported water supplies. It decreases the region’s dependence on the Sacramento -San Joaquin Delta, improving the resiliency of the region’s water system. It also aims to motivate water users to switch their industrial, landscaping, and agricultural demands from potable to recycled water.
Black & Veatch prepared the engineers report and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation for the project. In addition, the company provided operations support. Construction of the facility began with groundbreaking on October 22, 2010 and was formally opened on July 18, 2014.
“This center is a key step in expanding the use of recycled water in the region.”
Cindy Wallis-Lage | president of Black & Veatch’s water business
Editors Notes:
- Black & Veatch provided design, membrane procurement, construction phase engineering services, commissioning support, and operational support services.
- The project is an expansion of the existing South Bay Water Recycling system, which distributes disinfected filter (tertiary) effluent produced at the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP).
- The Silicon Valley Water District (SCVWD) is a water wholesaler for Santa Clara County and serves 1.8 million residents and more than 200,000 commuters. SCVWD manages both surface and groundwater systems in Santa Clara County.
- The expandable 8-million-gallons-per-day facility also lessens discharges of treated effluent into San Francisco Bay, helping to preserve the tidal habitat.
- Traditionally, recycled water is mainly used for large landscape and agricultural irrigation, environmental and industrial purposes, such as cooling water at power plants.
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