SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Regional San’s EchoWater Project was recognized as the Best New Infrastructure Project through the Sacramento Business Journal’s 2023 Best Real Estate Projects of the Year Awards program. Out of 24 project finalists, the EchoWater Project rose to the top for its monumental, $1.7 billion, decade-long expansion to the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility (EchoWater Facility).
Since its completion in spring 2023, the EchoWater Project continues to shine as a standout project in the Sacramento region for accomplishing the project both on schedule and under budget. The immense upgrade now offers a safe and reliable supply of treated water that will be discharged to the Sacramento River and used for recycled water purposes—like irrigating local agriculture and supporting habitat conservation.
Following the expansion, the EchoWater Facility is now the second largest treatment facility of its kind in the nation, and the development was among the largest public works projects in the Sacramento region’s history.
“We are honored to receive a Best Real Estate Project of the Year award in the New Infrastructure category from the Sacramento Business Journal,” said Regional San General Manager Christoph Dobson. “The EchoWater Project’s historic completion is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our exceptional team and supportive Board.”
About the EchoWater Project
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 Board took that action to improve water quality and help alleviate ecological problems in the Delta. To ensure effectiveness and cost efficiency, Regional San tested many possible treatment strategies to achieve the new permit requirements. A specific strategy was selected, engineering designs were completed, and construction began. The massive upgrade consisted of 22 individual projects that together used 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—the heart of the new treatment process. BNR is a sprawling complex, roughly equivalent in size to 18 football fields, and is responsible for removing 99 percent of ammonia and 89 percent of nitrogen, addressing concerns about possible impacts downstream.
About Regional San
Regional San owns and operates the regional sewage conveyance system and the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility, which is located near Elk Grove, California. We provide sewage conveyance, treatment, disposal service, and recovery to about 1.6 million people throughout the Sacramento region, and our treatment plant is the second largest of its kind in the nation. Learn more at regionalsan.com.
CONTACT: Mary Elise Conzelmann, Sr. Public Information Officer
conzelmannme@sacsewer.com
916.875.2627
