Karin North News Today

According to a statement from the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies, at least $11 billion will be needed to finance the upgrades, or an average of $4,000 per household, at treatment facilities across the region. The upgrades, which would enhance secondary treatment technology that would reduce the nitrogen content in wastewater being discharged into the bay.

Concerned about cramped conditions at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, Palo Alto authorized staff on Monday, Aug. 21, to explore purchasing land next to the wastewater facility on Embarcadero Road.

If things go as planned, Palo Alto will soon see two large new facilities go up on San Antonio Road, east of U.S. Highway 101: a housing complex for some of the citys poorest residents and a plant that will purify wastewater.

After signing a deal with Valley Water in 2019 for new wastewater-treatment facilities, City Council members confronted this week a major obstacle: costs that are rising faster than anyone had expected.

After signing a deal with Valley Water in 2019 for new wastewater-treatment facilities, City Council members confronted this week a major obstacle: costs that are rising faster than anyone had expected.