The Calera Creek Waste Water Recycling Plant (WWRP) in Pacifica can treat 4 million gallons of sewage per day (up to 20 MGD during storm events) using its innovative treatment techniques. This plant helped pioneer the use of ultraviolet disinfection for wastewater effluent in California. UV treatment allows release of recycled water into wetlands because residual chlorine is not allowed in the permitting process. To minimize visual impact, the entire facility except for the filters and control building are buried in a hillside covered with native plants. Odor control scrubbers pull air from all process areas to neutralize odor-causing gases.

The plant has the first successfully restored wetlands using the hydro geomorphic model. This model uses function, geomorphic position, and hydrology to assess wetlands, recognizing the influence of hydrology and geomorphology on biology. It was developed for this project and is now the standard used by many resource agencies (including the EPA and Regional Water Quality Control Board) for wetlands restoration design and monitoring. Thirty acres of wetlands, riparian vegetation and coastal scrub were restored near the facility. The wetlands were designed specifically so endangered species in the region can take advantage of the space. Wetlands also make the treated water even cleaner before it reaches the Pacific Ocean. Fewer than 5% of Southern California's original coastal wetlands remain, so wetland restoration is incredibly important.

The Calera Creek WWPR has also started an innovative, collaborative endeavor that seeks to remove problematic waste cooking oil from the waste water stream, combine it with local commercially available waste oil and process it into clean-burning biodiesel. The facility has also installed photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the property where the recycling facility is located. The power generated by these panels will represent a 10-15 percent cost reduction per year for the facility and they will pay for themselves within 10 years.

Citations:
Calera Creek WWRP site: http://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/wwt/default.asp
Hawaii's Coral Reef Monitoring Program: http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu
Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov

Picture:
Restored wetlands near the Calera Creek Waste Water Recycling Plant: www.epa.gov

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