- Sustainable infrastructure is key as small island sees growth and development
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, was selected by The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to lead design for a new water resource recovery facility on San Francisco’s iconic Treasure Island. The island has undergone decades of geotechnical improvements to make it habitable for businesses and residents.
Treasure Island has a unique history and infrastructure. The man-made island was first developed for the World’s Fair in 1939 and later became a US naval station. It currently has a small wastewater treatment facility to serve a population of nearly 2,500 people. With projections for future development and growth to about 20,000 residents by 2032, SFPUC wants to expand capacity with the new facility.
“Designing this facility on Treasure Island is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Stantec’s water experts,” said Tasmin Brown, senior project manager, Water, at Stantec. “Sustainable development is a core value at Stantec. Working with partners that share this vision is a rewarding experience, and we are thrilled to support this growing community.”
The design-build project is being completed in partnership with PCL Construction. Design is underway and construction is expected to begin this summer. Project completion is anticipated in 2026. When finished, the facility will have an annual average wastewater treatment capacity of 1.3 million gallons per day.
“This project is pivotal to creating a sustainable environment and infrastructure for Treasure Island,” said Jignesh Desai, senior project manager at SFPUC. “Stantec’s expertise in intelligent design and wastewater treatment is setting us up for long-term success.”
The project is designed to produce minimal wastewater discharge with the goal to reuse disinfected recycled water on the island for lawns, landscaping, and community parks. A wetlands habitat will be incorporated into the wastewater treatment plant’s design to provide a habitat for native birds and plants.
In addition to its sustainable treatment processes, the wastewater treatment plant is being designed to fit aesthetically into Treasure Island’s existing development. A local artist will paint a mural on the side of the building, and Stantec is working closely with San Francisco’s Art Commission and undergoing civic design review. As project partners, Stantec and PCL are also supporting the San Francisco and Treasure Island communities through volunteer work and giving back at local festivals, community gardens, and food banks.
With its lineup of design features and commitment to improving sustainability, Stantec and its project partners will pursue Envision™ verification with the target of achieving an Envision Gold award for the facility.
Stantec has extensive expertise in designing and engineering wastewater treatment plants. Learn more about our work here.
About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what’s never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.
We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.