|
WHAT’S NEW?
The project team is creating a recommended alternative that balances operational, economic, environmental, and social goals. Public input collected on the three land use alternatives developed earlier this year will help shape the recommended alternative, which will be presented to the San José and Santa Clara city councils in December 2010 and January 2011, respectively. Council direction will determine the project’s next steps, and a third round of public workshops is anticipated in early 2011. For more information, sign up for project updates and visit rebuildtheplant.org.
|
|
Land use alternatives questionnaire summary available now: Approximately 330 land use alternatives questionnaires were submitted via the community workshops and project website. Letters from stakeholder groups and business proposals were also received. Review the raw data and land use alternatives questionnaire summary online. A complete public opinion summary of all land use alternatives input collected will be submitted to the San José and Santa Clara city councils in December 2010.
CAG meeting on October 27: The Community Advisory Group (CAG) has resumed regular meetings. The next meeting is on Wednesday, October 27. For more information or to view CAG meeting agendas and minutes, visit rebuildtheplant.org.
ESA and Jones & Stokes selected for environmental review process: This September, the San José City Council approved an agreement with a joint venture of Environmental Science Associates (ESA) and Jones & Stokes (J&S) to help complete the environmental documentation for the Plant Master Plan. The joint venture will assist the City in completing all of the documents required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The joint venture has experience on the San Francisco Sewer Master Plan and the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan, bringing substantial wastewater and local knowledge to the project. The first phase of the environmental documentation process, scoping the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), will begin in spring 2011 and a final EIR is projected to be presented to the San José and Santa Clara city councils in late 2012 or early 2013.
Plant photo exhibit displayed in San José: Photographer Robert Dawson completed a six-month residency at the Plant and is now exhibiting a selection of his photos in the San José City Hall windows along 4th Street. The Conscience of the City: Treating Wastewater in Silicon Valley exhibit features the employees, lands, treatment process, and history of the Plant, and will be in place through January 2011. An ebook is under development to view the photos online. Capital improvement projects at the Plant generate the 1%-for-art funds used for Dawson’s and future public art projects. For more information, contact Public Art Program Director Barbara Goldstein at 408-793-4337 or barbara.goldstein@sanjoseca.gov.
Renewable energy pilot project receives $1.9 million grant: This August, the City of San José and energy partner Harvest Power, Inc. were on the California Energy Commission’s Notice of Proposed Awards for a $1.9 million grant for a waste-to-energy pilot project. The goal of the pilot project is to study and test a technology that could convert wood waste and Plant biosolids into syngas which could help to power the Plant or produce vehicle fuel. A robust feasibility study will be conducted initially to determine if the proposed innovative low heat gasification technology is viable. If the feasibility study is successful, then a small-scale demonstration unit will be built to test the technology on Plant lands. For more information, contact Organics Manager Michele Young at 408-975-2519 or michele.young@sanjoseca.gov.
New facility on Plant site will increase recycled water: The Santa Clara Valley Water District, in partnership with the City of San José, will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, October 22 for an advanced recycled water treatment facility, expanding the site of the existing recycled water pumping station at the Plant. This facility will improve water quality for irrigation, industrial processes, building cooling, and flushing toilets, as well as help reach San José’s goal of beneficially reusing 100 percent of our wastewater. For more information, contact Santa Clara Valley Water District Senior Project Manager Tim Nguyen at 408-265-2600 x2020 or timnguyen@valleywater.org.
|
CAG members discuss land use options
Aerial of the biosolids drying lagoons
Did you know?
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can build up in sewer pipes and cause blockages and overflows that endanger our health and environment. Instead of washing FOG down the drain, pour or scrape it into a can and throw in the trash. Visit the San José Pollution Prevention site for disposal instructions and other ways you can help keep our community clean.
Wastewater photo by Robert Dawson
Recycled water facility
|
printer friendly
