Highlights

• RESCU Program replaces and rehabilitates SVCW’s wastewater conveyance system.
• RESCU is one of the largest wastewater programs using progressive design-build delivery on the West Coast.
• Project components span four cities: Belmont, Menlo Park, Redwood City, and San Carlos.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — With the Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade (RESCU) Program’s ribbon cutting, Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) is delivering on its commitment to protecting public health and the environment for generations to come.

An early adopter of progressive design-build (PDB), SVCW recently celebrated the successful use of this collaborative project delivery approach for the on-time and on-budget program with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 13.

The RESCU Program is one of the largest wastewater PDB programs on the West Coast and has served as a model for other agencies, both locally and nationally. As Owner’s Advisor on two of the program’s major projects, Brown and Caldwell has been proud to partner with SVCW on the PDB delivery and collaboratively work with design-builder J.F. Shea-Parsons Joint Venture on the design and construction of the Front-of-Plant and Pump Stations Improvement projects.

“This ceremony marked a significant milestone in our efforts toward environmental stewardship and infrastructure enhancement in the region. Despite challenges such as COVID-19, the project was completed on time and within budget, thanks to innovative project delivery methods and safety protocols.” – SVCW (said in a statement)

3 projects, 1 heart

SVCW, a water resource recovery agency that serves more than 225,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area, launched the RESCU Program in 2016. The $580 million program aims to replace and rehabilitate SVCW’s conveyance system and provide new preliminary treatment facilities. Three projects lie at the heart of the massive undertaking:

• Gravity Pipeline: New gravity sewer pipeline at 17,000 linear feet and 11 foot inside diameter that serves as the main wastewater conveyance system to the treatment plant.
• Front-of-Plant: A 90-foot-deep, 80-mgd influent lift station located at the terminus of the Gravity Pipeline, with preliminary treatment facilities (screening and grit removal) and connection piping to SVCW’s main water resource recovery facility (WRRF).
• Pump Stations Improvements: Rehabilitation of three conveyance pumping stations and portions of force main that convey flow to the Gravity Pipeline.

Benefits

With the RESCU Program, SVCW’s four member agencies — Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, and West Bay Sanitary District — can now reliably and efficiently convey and treat wastewater, improving community safety and meeting the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board’s permit conditions. Additional benefits include:

• Reduced spills and discharges
• Improved wastewater treatment plant functionality and operational readiness
• Meet compliance with future regulatory requirements

“This is a fantastic milestone for Silicon Valley Clean Water and their RESCU Program. Brown and Caldwell has been proud to partner with SVCW and the design-build teams to transition these key facilities from concept to reality. This program is a testament to SVCW’s commitment to using innovative project delivery for protecting the community and environment for generations to come. It’s also a great success story for how progressive design-build delivery can be used by agencies who are inclined to think differently about delivering major water/wastewater infrastructure in California. Congratulations SVCW!” – Aren Hansen, Brown and Caldwell Program Advisor (pictured above)