SAN JOSE, CA — Jacobs has been selected as the progressive design-build contractor for upgrades to the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) in California. This $200 million project will modernize the city’s biosolids treatment infrastructure, delivering long-term reliability at the second largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in the western United States.
As the design-build partner, Jacobs will upgrade and replace aged mesophilic digesters. These digester improvements will reduce the amount of solids to be hauled offsite for disposal while also enhancing the conversion of biogas produced, which directly fuels the facility’s cogeneration system — also designed and built by Jacobs. A new fats, oils, and grease receiving station will accept high-strength waste from local businesses and convert it to clean energy, cutting natural gas use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
“As San Jose plans for more housing and jobs, reliable wastewater infrastructure becomes essential to protect public health and support economic vitality," Jacobs Executive Vice President Greg Fischer said. "Leveraging our experience in digester design and biological process optimization, we deliver long-term performance that turns waste into renewable energy and strengthens sustainability for generations.”
Jacobs’ innovative design approach, including the potential integration of its Microbial Hydrolysis Process, is expected to increase biogas output by up to 36 percent and reduce biosolids production by as much as 74 wet tons per day — about the weight of 50 mid-size cars. The project also prioritizes seismic resiliency and operational flexibility to meet future growth through 2077.
Jacobs will deliver the additional digester facility upgrades under a design-build contract, supported by Walsh Construction and Structural Technologies as lead contracting partners.
