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Location:
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Telephone:
Phone: 650-329-2151
Hours:
Mon-Thu 7:30-5:30pm
Fri 8-5pm
Wastewater Plant

Every drop of water we use ends up in San Francisco Bay, and it’s the job of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant to make sure it’s treated to remove pollutants before it gets there.

The Regional Water Quality Control Plant is owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto for the communities of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Stanford University and the East Palo Alto Sanitary District. The Plant is an advanced treatment facility that uses gravity settling, biological treatment with microorganisms and dual media filtration to remove unwanted organic materials and toxins from the approximately 22 million gallons a day of wastewater generated by the service area’s 220,000 residents. The Plant’s treated effluent meets all of the stringent requirements for discharge to the sensitive South San Francisco Bay.

Let Us Hear From You!
We appreciate receiving comments and suggestions from the community. Please call us at (650)329-2598 if you have questions or a suggestion to help us improve our services.

Regional Water Quality Control Landscaping Advisory Committee
The City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) staff is working with Siegfried Engineering Inc. (SEI) to develop a conceptual design and environmental analysis for the renovation of landscaping within and around the periphery of the 25 acre wastewater treatment plant, located at 2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto. Goals of this project are to improve deteriorated landscape screening around the periphery of the Plant per Baylands Master Plan requirements and previous Plant projects, improve the habitat corridor linking the Baylands and Renzel Marsh and provide demonstration landscaping within the RWQCP.
( View PDF )
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Clean Bay Pollution Prevention Plan 2012
The Clean Bay Pollution Prevention Plan is a complete summary of the Palo Alto's Regional Water Quality Control Plants efforts on reducing pollution from entering local creeks and the San Francisco Bay.
[more]

Wastewater Long Range Facilities Planning
Wastewater Long Range Facilities Planning - Palo Alto has selected a consultant to conduct the Long Range Facilities Plan.
[more]
Linda Gass Artwork

Energy/Compost Facility Consideration
This webpage is the third in a series of webpages as an Energy/Compost Facility in Palo Alto is considered.
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Video of Wastewater Plant Process
View all of the steps of the Wastewater Plant process.
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Energy/Compost Feasibility Study
On April 5, 2010 the Palo Alto City Council directed staff to hire a consultant to conduct a Feasibility Study for a dry anaerobic digestion facility on the southeast side of Palo Alto's wastewater treatment plant ("Plant").  (See "April 5, 2010 City Council Meeting Results." )
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City of Palo Alto Water Reuse Program
The Water Reuse Program brings a reliable, sustainable and drought-proof supply of water to the South Bay and Santa Clara County.
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Sign up for a Plant Tour
Tours of the RWQCP are a popular educational tool used by schools, youth groups, and citizens.
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Recycled Water Information
Recycled water is wastewater that has been purified through a high level of treatment. Reducing the amount of treated wastewater discharged into the South Bay decreases the impacts on saltwater marshes.
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Water Quality
2011 Pest Management Report
Revision Date: 01/20/2012
2010 RWQCP Master Planning
Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant Master Planning (2010)
Carollo Engineers March 2012 Presentation
Revision Date: 02/29/2012
Long Range Facilities Planning Goals (2010)
Goals, Long Range, RWQCP
Revision Date: 05/09/2011
Long Term Planning Public Meetings
Revision Date: 08/04/2011
Public Input from March 2012 Public Meeting
Revision Date: 03/06/2012
Regional Water Quality Control Plant
Current brochure used for wastewater plant tours and classroom presentations. Updated equipment brochure will replace this one eventually.
Revision Date: 08/04/2011
Long Term Goals Study Reports
Long Term Goals Study Phase 1 Appendix
Revision Date: 12/01/2001
Long Term Goals Study Phase 1 Final Report
Revision Date: 12/01/2001
Long Term Goals Study Phase 2 Appendix
Revision Date: 02/01/2003
Long Term Goals Study Phase 2 Final Report
Revision Date: 02/01/2003
NPDES Permit For Discharge to San Francisco Bay
NPDES Permit (effective 6/1/2009)
Revision Date: 06/01/2009
NPDES Permit New Standard Provisions (effective 3/1/2010)
Revision Date: 03/01/2010
RWQCP Historical Pollutant Loadings and Removals
Annual Average Pollutant and Flow Information
View charts showing influent and effluent annual average BOD, ammonia, conductivity, and flow data dating back to 1988.
Revision Date: 04/05/2010
Partner Allocations and Flow Rates
Agreements between the RWQCP partners allocate the plant's hydraulic capacity to the partner cities and agencies. View charts comparing the 2009 partner flow rates with annual average and dry weather flow allocations.
Revision Date: 06/23/2010
Trunkline and Influent Wastewater Strength Charts
Charges for the RWQCP partners are based on wastewater flow and ammonia, chemical oxygen demand, and suspended solids concentrations. View charts of trunkline and influent data from 1995 through 2009.
Revision Date: 05/03/2010
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City of Palo Alto City Hall - 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Main Telephone Number 650-329-2100 8am-5pm M-Th, Alt Fridays