Veolia Water to Manage Hollister's New Water Reclamation Facility
A new $100 million, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility in Northern California will be operated and managed by Veolia Water North America under a 10-year public-private partnership that will serve approximately 35,000 residents, according to the company.
Valued at $688,000 per year (initial 10 year term), the contract calls for Veolia Water to manage a 2.1 million-gallons-per-day (mgd) membrane bioreactor (MBR) facility, along with a significant water reclamation system and associated services. These include grounds maintenance, water reuse and recycling, emergency response, odor control, computer management and maintenance systems, laboratory work and management of the septic receiving station.
“This new MBR facility was designed to meet Hollister’s growth plan for the next 20 years,” said Philip Ashcroft, president of Veolia Water West Operating Services. “We’re excited to be part of the city’s plans for the future.”
The treatment process for the new wastewater plant consists of an influent lift station, preliminary treatment, activated sludge treatment, membrane separation process, disinfection, water inventory management and biosolids treatment. Service improvements will be phased in during the contract period.
Per the contract, the city will continue to own all of the assets and set user rates; Veolia Water will manage the facilities.
“In selecting Veolia Water to manage its wastewater treatment facility, Hollister joins other progressive California communities in thinking long-term about its environmental future,” said Ashcroft. “The city’s decision means that funding, capital, policy and other decisions stay in the hands of local officials, while Veolia Water helps the city achieve compliant, safely operated and economically managed treatment facilities.”