The EchoWater project will remove about 95% of ammonia from wastewater discharges to protect the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.
The project, which is expected to cost about $2bn, is planned to be completed by 2023. It will be built as per the new requirements issued by the state in 2010.
After completion, the upgraded facility will reduce discharges of ammonia, nitrates and other pollutants.
The existing wastewater plant serves about 1.4 million people and currently offers secondary treatment.
EPA regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest Jared Blumenfeld said: "California’s economic security depends on a healthy Bay Delta, the largest and most important estuary on the West Coast.
"EPA’s Clean Water Act State Revolving Funds are a key investment in clean water infrastructure to protect this precious resource."
EPA has invested $2.8bn in the California Clean Water State Revolving Fund since 1989 to help communities meet critical infrastructure requirements such as wastewater treatment and help save money.
The agency said the revolving funds are reinvested to provide a constant source of money for addressing clean water infrastructure needs of the state.
Image: The EchoWater project, which is expected to cost about $2bn, is planned to be completed by 2023. Photo: courtesy of Toa55/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
