Newsletter – Winter 2024
The Clean Water Program is a comprehensive plan to upgrade the aging wastewater collection and treatment system with advanced infrastructure that will provide reliable services for years to come to several communities in the San Francisco Bay area, including the cities of San Mateo, Foster City, and portions of Hillsborough, Belmont, Crystal Springs County Sanitation District, and the County of San Mateo. Many of these improvements are either in design or construction and some of the construction has been completed.
The Clean Water Program is making improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, sewer pipes, pump stations, and has constructed a new underground flow equalization system facility to improve the capacity of the system. These improvements align with the City’s sustainability goals.
This newsletter includes updates on active CWP projects. Detailed information can be found on our website.
¿Preguntas? Para información en español, haga el favor de llamar al (650) 522-7298.
有任何問題䆩? 如需索取更進一步的中文資訊, 請致電 (650) 522-7300.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project Achieving Milestones
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade project continues to make significant progress and achieve important construction milestones. Phases 1 & 2 construction activities were completed last year. Phase 3 construction activities are approximately 80 percent complete and we anticipate starting up the new processes in 6 to 9 months from now. The installation of the Yard Piping has been completed except for connecting the existing force mains to the new headworks, which is currently scheduled for June 2024. PG&E and AT&T have relocated their existing facilities, removing their utilities from the treatment plant property.
The City’s contractor completed the installation of over 8,000 tons of rebar and 33,000 cubic yards of concrete for the new processes portion of the project in late April 2023. Installation of electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, piping, and storage tanks and associated equipment is nearly complete in several areas of the WWTP. The City’s contractor is finalizing the construction of the primary clarifiers with most of the related equipment installed. Leak tests have been conducted in several basins with successful results. Construction of the new Administration Building and the Warehouse is nearing completion. Upgrades to the tanks and related transfer pumps is almost complete.
With the WWTP project nearing completion on the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment throughout the plant, the City’s contractor will be removing the largest Bigge Crane from the job site. The crane is no longer being used and the associated cameras on the crane, which provided aerial views of the ongoing construction, were disconnected in mid-December 2023. Removal will be complete by early February 2024 – a welcome change to the San Mateo skyline for many residents, and an important milestone in the WWTP upgrade project.
The City is committed to minimizing the effects of construction on the neighboring community and will be using several noise reduction and control measures during this work.
For more information about our exciting new plant, please visit our WWTP page. You can also e-mail info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org, or call us at (650) 727-6870.
You can watch the new buildings come to life via live camera feeds on our WWTP page.
Underground Flow Equalization System Project Nears Completion
The Underground Flow Equalization System (UFES) Project is moving steadily towards an early 2024 completion. The excavation at the San Mateo County Event Center Site has been backfilled and graded. The City has also discontinued monitoring for vibration and groundwater levels near the site, with dust and noise monitoring anticipated to conclude in the near future – a sign of significant progress towards project completion. Potential violations and resulting risks from construction-related dust, noise, vibration, and groundwater level changes were a concern for many residents near the site at the start of construction; however, no significant construction-related concerns were observed during the monitoring timeframe.
The City’s contractor is beginning to demobilize from the site beginning with anticipated removal of the construction trailers in early February. Major traffic impacts related to the UFES project are nearing completion. Minor occasional traffic inconveniences will continue, as the street portion of the project makes significant progress towards completion.
The City anticipates that the UFES project in its entirety, including work at the San Mateo County Event Center, will conclude in the Spring of 2024. Once the project is complete, it will be able to reduce the sanitary sewer overflows that result from excessive rainfall, which the community may have witnessed during last year’s rainy season.
We thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we make steady progress toward the completion of our sewer system improvements.
Sewer Improvement Projects
Dale Avenue Pump Station Project- Emergency Standby Generator Installation to Begin February 2024
The City has been working on the design to replace the existing emergency standby generator with a new emergency standby generator at the Dale Avenue Pump Staton since 2023. The upcoming emergency standby generator installation involves site preparation, excavation, foundation piles, concrete pours, generator placement and wiring.
During the installation of the generator, residents can expect to experience some short-term inconveniences, such as noise and vibration due to trucks and equipment operating around and at the site. Mitigation measures will remain in place to minimize the effects of the project on residents. Notifications will be distributed to potentially affected neighbors prior to work beginning.
The overall duration of the generator replacement work is anticipated to be six months. Contractors are scheduled to perform piling work followed by construction of a concrete foundation starting late February 2024 and is expected to last approximately two months. The work will be performed using a drilling machine for piling, concrete machinery, and trucks for haulage and disposal. This will be followed by cable ducting work and subsequently installation of the generator using a crane. All work will be performed within the DAPS parcel. Work will occur between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on normal work days. Additional potential temporary impacts may include:
- Parking restrictions on Norfolk Street and Patricia Ave. to allow temporary parking and access of construction equipment
The purpose of the new emergency standby generator is to provide power supply to the pump station in the event of a power outage. The pump station is vital for the operation of the City’s sewer system and must remain operational 24/7. The new generator will be installed east of the existing pump station building, as shown in the image below.
For more information on this project, please visit our Dale Avenue Pump Station page.
For general questions and information please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org. or contact CWP Project Manager Makarand Pendse at 1-925-392-3726 or makarand.pendse@jacobs.com.
Delaware Street Sewer Relief Sewer Project in Final Construction Phase
This Project is part of the City of San Mateo’s Clean Water Program to improve the overall collection system to manage heavy seasonal rainfall, prevent sewer overflows, as well as help the City comply with regulatory requirements. Construction of the Delaware Street Sewer Relief Sewer Project began in June 2022 and most of the construction was completed in December 2023. The final phase of construction is expected to be complete by April 2024. The final phase of construction involves installation of manholes and interconnecting sewers at the junction of Pacific and S. Delaware.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Makarand Pendse at 1-925-392-3726 or Makarand.pendse@jacobs.com
El Camino Real Sewer Capacity Improvements Project Expected to Get Underway Soon
We continue to make great progress toward pollution prevention in San Mateo. Starting next month, work will begin on the El Camino Real Sewer Capacity Improvements Project as part of our ongoing commitment to completing our Basin 2 & 3 Sewer Capacity Improvements. Activity includes installation of approximately 7,800 linear feet of pipe, including new and upsized relief sewers, and installation of manholes.
Construction will occur in three areas along, or adjacent to, El Camino Real and is anticipated to take approximately 12 months (see map of project work). Area 1 construction is anticipated to start in March 2024.
Work will occur weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some night detours (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) when work is occurring on El Camino Real. Motorists are advised to anticipate traffic pattern changes and allow extra time to travel through these areas as lane closures, traffic control, and parking restrictions may impact travel.
These upgrades will reinforce our sewer system with additional capacity that will help reduce sewer overflows, which often occur during heavy seasonal rainfall. This will further help prevent contamination of our streets, creeks, lagoons, beaches, and the San Francisco Bay from sewer overflow. It also will help the City to comply with regulatory requirements.
We appreciate the public’s continued patience and cooperation as we make steady progress toward the completion of these improvements. Please visit El Camino Real Sewer Capacity Improvements – Clean Water Program San Mateo for complete project details or contact Makarand Pendse, Project Manager, at 925.392.3726 or makarand.pendse@jacobs.com.
For general questions and information, call 650.727.6870 or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org.
A Basin (North Basin) Sewer Rehabilitation Project Repair Work is Near Completion
The purpose of the A Basin Sewer Rehabilitation Project is to repair and rehabilitate existing sanitary sewer pipelines and manholes. This project is part of the City of San Mateo’s rehabilitation of the overall wastewater collection system. Repair work on sewer pipes and manholes began in August 2022 and is estimated to continue through March 2024.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Laura Webb at 1-650-522-7322 or lwebb@cityofsanmateo.org.
B Basin (West Basin) Sewer Rehabilitation Construction Scheduled to Begin in February 2024
Basin B includes downtown San Mateo, and those City areas West of El Camino between Highway 92 and Crystal Springs Road. The work in Basin B will occur at multiple sites within the public right-of-way (ROW) and within easements on private property, including front yards, backyards, and driveways. This basin serves as the collection system for public and commercial centers, such as Downtown San Mateo as well as several residential neighborhoods.
Prior to the start of work, notifications will be sent to residents and businesses. The contractor will provide additional notices two to three days prior to work starting in specific areas of B Basin. Rehab construction will begin in February 2024 and is expected to be completed in January 2025.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Laura Webb at 1-650-522-7322 or lwebb@cityofsanmateo.org.
E Basin Sewer Rehabilitation Project Construction Ongoing
Basin E includes the southern portion of the City, west of El Camino Real. The purpose of the E Basin Sewer Rehabilitation Project is to repair and rehabilitate existing sanitary sewer pipeline and manholes. This project is part of the City of San Mateo’s rehabilitation of the overall wastewater collection system. The project began construction in Fall 2023, estimated to be completed in Fall 2024. Notifications will be sent to residents and businesses prior to the start of work, and the contractor will provide additional notices two to three days prior to work starting in your area. This project focuses on two types of work:
- Gravity Sewer System – Spot and segment repairs
- Manholes – Repairs and replacements
During this project, our contractors will repair damaged or displaced 6-, 8-, and 10-inch-diameter sanitary sewer mains with the same size pipe at 343 locations. Work also includes rehabilitating 212 manholes with lining, repairing channels and benches, and fully removing and replacing select manholes. Common manhole rehabilitation methods include (1) replacing the frame and cover, and (2) applying cement mortar as a binding agent to the inside surfaces.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Laura Webb at 1-650-522-7322 or lwebb@cityofsanmateo.org.
C Basin Sewer Video Investigations Continue
As part of the City of San Mateo Clean Water Program, crews performing Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) inspections for the C Basin project. Crews utilized a remote-controlled camera to help the City check the condition of pipes and obtain information that enables the City to identify problem areas in the collection system.
Cleaning and CCTV inspections of approximately 40,000 linear feet of pipe in the public right-of-way, 110,000 linear feet within easements on private property, and approximately 800 manholes CCTV inspections began in November 2022 and were completed in July 2023. The design process has begun and is expected to continue through Summer 2024.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Laura Webb at 1-650-522-7322 or lwebb@cityofsanmateo.org.
D Basin (Central Basin) Sewer Rehabilitation
The D Basin Sewer Rehabilitation project includes cleaning and CCTV inspection of:
- Approximately 121,400 linear feet of pipe in the public right-of-way
- Approximately 84,000 linear feet in easements on private property,
- Approximately 700 manholes in the public right-of-way and 300 manholes in easements on private property
CCTV work in D Basin began in Spring 2023 and was completed in December 2023. Initial design work will finish in March 2024, and detailed design work shall begin at that time.
For more information, please call 1-650-727-6870, or email info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org or contact CWP Project Manager Laura Webb at 1-650-522-7322 or lwebb@cityofsanmateo.org.
¿Preguntas? Para información en español, haga el favor de llamar al (650) 522-7298.
有任何問題䆩? 如需索取更進一步的中文資訊, 請致電 (650) 522-7300.