In a recent government meeting, the senior environmental engineer provided an extensive update on the ongoing Clean Water Program at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), which has been operational since 1956. Serving over 157,000 residents, the plant processes an average of 13 million gallons of wastewater daily. The Clean Water Program, the largest capital improvement initiative in the city's history, aims to modernize the aging infrastructure over the next two decades.

The program encompasses four major projects currently in various stages of design and construction. The first, the Primary Treatment Facility Project, recently completed construction and is now operational. This project replaces outdated equipment with advanced technology, enhancing solids removal efficiency and reducing emissions by transitioning from combustion engines to electric ones.

The second project focuses on Secondary Treatment and Dewatering, which aims to replace the existing oxidation ponds with a more reliable, engineered activated sludge system. This shift is crucial for maintaining treatment effectiveness, especially after challenges faced in 2021 with algal blooms that complicated the treatment process.

Additionally, the Existing Plant Rehabilitation Project is underway to ensure that current tertiary treatment facilities remain functional until they are phased out around 2038. This project involves significant upgrades to existing infrastructure to meet modern seismic and operational standards.

Lastly, the Master Plan Update and Cogent Upgrade Projects are being initiated to adapt to future city developments and incorporate new technologies. This includes plans for food waste co-digestion, necessitating upgrades to the plant's cogeneration capabilities.

The engineer emphasized the importance of these projects not only for compliance with regulatory standards but also for enhancing the plant's resilience against flooding and sea-level rise. The ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to sustainable water management and infrastructure modernization in Sunnyvale.