Introduction
The Sacramento region has recently completed the $1.7 billion EchoWater Project, a decade-long plant expansion by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San). This project is expected to bring significant changes to the treatment and reuse of wastewater in the region. The completion of the project in spring 2023, on schedule and under budget, will provide a safe and reliable supply of treated water for discharge to the Sacramento River. Additionally, the recycled water produced will be used for purposes such as irrigating local agriculture and supporting habitat conservation land.
Background
The EchoWater Project is considered one of the largest public works projects in the history of the Sacramento region. Regional San, which owns and operates the regional wastewater conveyance system and the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, treated an average of 135 million gallons of wastewater each day from 1.6 million people throughout Sacramento County and West Sacramento. With the completion of the project, Regional San’s upgraded treatment process now removes 99 percent of ammonia and 89 percent of nitrogen from the wastewater.
Sustainable Development Goals
The EchoWater Project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Project Details
The EchoWater Project began in 2010 when the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board issued new treatment requirements in Regional San’s wastewater discharge permit. The project consisted of 22 individual projects, using 41,350 tons of steel and more than 225,000 cubic yards of concrete. The centerpiece of the upgrade was the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) Project, which removed 99 percent of ammonia and 89 percent of nitrogen from the wastewater, addressing concerns about possible downstream impacts.
Design Aspects
- Flow Equalization (FEQ): The $122 million FEQ project added 110 million gallons (MG) of storage to the plant’s existing emergency storage basins to reduce peak flows to 330 mgd. This project required excavation, pumping stations, concrete lining, and effluent control structures.
- Return Activated Sludge Pumping (RAS): The $25 million RAS project replaced return activated sludge pumps and included improvements to piping and flow meters.
- Nitrifying Sidestream Treatment (NST): The $42 million NST process utilized nitrifying sequencing batch reactors for odor control and offsetting chemical costs.
- Tertiary Treatment Facilities (TTF): The $310 million TTF project provided filtration and enhanced disinfection of secondary effluent to support unrestricted reuse.
Conclusion
The completion of the EchoWater Project marks a significant achievement for the Sacramento region. The project’s success in meeting new treatment requirements while staying within budget demonstrates outstanding collaboration among project partners. The upgraded treatment process now ensures cleaner water for discharge to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and provides a drought-resistant, recycled water source for various purposes. The EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility, as it is now called, contributes to the achievement of several SDGs and promotes sustainable development in the region.
Source
For more information, visit regionalsan.com.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 6.3: Reduction in the levels of ammonia and nitrogen in the treated wastewater.
- Indicator for SDG 9.4: Completion of the plant expansion project on schedule and under budget.
- Indicator for SDG 12.4: Reduction in the release of hazardous chemicals and materials into the Sacramento River.
- Indicator for SDG 15.9: Integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into the planning and development processes of the Sacramento region.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Reduction in the levels of ammonia and nitrogen in the treated wastewater. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. | Completion of the plant expansion project on schedule and under budget. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Reduction in the release of hazardous chemicals and materials into the Sacramento River. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts. | Integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into the planning and development processes of the Sacramento region. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: waterfm.com
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