Oro Loma started construction on a $25M project to advance the level of wastewater treatment it provides. The project builds on the District’s history of innovation and sound management of its pumps, pipes, and equipment. The goal of the project is to remove nutrients from the incoming wastewater.

A groundbreaking event to kick off construction of the new facility was held on October 16, 2018.

groundbreaking event

Wastewater treatment

Oro Loma uses a combination of mechanical and biological methods to remove solids and pathogens from incoming wastewater before returning the treated water to the Bay. Attention now is focusing on removing residual nutrients from the water.

Too much nutrient

Too much nutrient left in the water can cause too much algae to grow. While algae is an important part of the ecosystem, too much of it can deplete oxygen levels in the water and cause problems for fish and other organisms that live in the Bay.

Oro Loma leads the way

With this project, Oro Loma becomes one of the first of 37 agencies in the Bay Area to take action in response to growing concerns about nutrient levels in the San Francisco Bay.  The new treatment process will convert nearly all incoming ammonia (from urine) to a more environmentally friendly as well as return half of the nitrogen back to the atmosphere. The process has the ability to remove even more nutrients, if needed.

Historically, the San Francisco Bay has not been adversely impacted by nutrient loading because the water was turbid (muddy) and little light could reach beyond the first few feet.  As the clarity in the Bay has improved (in part due to high-performing wastewater agencies throughout the Bay Area), the risk of algae blooms, which need nutrients and light, is increasing. While obvious signs of a problem cannot be seen now, there is concern that the San Francisco Bay has reached a tipping point that might lead to impairment.

Oro Loma and other dischargers to the Bay are funding numerous scientific studies to understand the impact of nutrients on the San Francisco Bay.  The studies are designed to identify how much more nutrients we can add to the Bay, while adequately protecting the wildlife in it.  Oro Loma’s proactive efforts to reduce its nutrients load and funding of scientific studies will help insure that the San Francisco Bay remains healthy for generations to come.