Using Community Input to Create a Successful Digester Complex Design

The Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant (SEP), one of two secondary treatment plants owned and operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), has a severely aging digester complex and associated solids handling facilities. About 10 years ago, a planning effort was undertaken that would have replaced the existing digesters with new egg shaped digesters. Outreach efforts were undertaken to incorporate community input into the design, but the two previous planning efforts between 1994 and 2001 were stalled in part due to community environmental justice issues. Shortly thereafter, the SFPUC began a more comprehensive master planning effort, which included the renovation/replacement of the SEP digester complex. A new public input process was developed to inform the master plan and develop the final Recommended Plan. Community involvement in the planning process continues now with the formation of a Digester Task Force composed of key stakeholders who will inform the final site selection and architectural design.