The City of San José has chosen Brown and Caldwell to provide owner’s advisory services for a major wastewater treatment upgrade aimed at modernizing processes and complying with new regional nutrient regulations.
Brown and Caldwell, an engineering consulting firm known for delivering water and environmental solutions, will assist in the design-build of the Aeration Basin Modifications Phase 1 (ABM1) project at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). This facility, one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment plants on the West Coast, serves 1.5 million residents and 17,000 businesses in Silicon Valley.
With an estimated construction cost of $240 million, ABM1 is the largest capital project in the City of San José’s infrastructure overhaul, which is part of a long-term Capital Improvement Program. The project aims to address the growing demand for nitrogen reduction in treated water, in line with new nutrient regulations, while also upgrading the aging infrastructure at the RWF.
“The ABM1 project is designed to achieve two critical objectives,” said Kapil Verma, Deputy Director of the City’s Environmental Services Department. “We’re repairing corroded infrastructure and improving biological treatment processes to meet the new nitrogen removal standards.”
The project aims to address the growing demand for nitrogen reduction in treated water, in line with new nutrient regulations, while also upgrading the aging infrastructure at the RWF
As part of the project, Brown and Caldwell will provide technical and business guidance to ensure the project stays on track. Their role will include helping secure a capable design-builder team, managing contract compliance, fostering collaboration, and overseeing project risks. Their expertise will be pivotal in ensuring the success of this time-sensitive, performance-based project.
“Brown and Caldwell brings extensive experience in nutrient removal and has a deep understanding of the City of San José’s systems,” said Anup Shah, Senior Director at Brown and Caldwell. “Our team is well-positioned to help guide this complex project through design, construction, and eventual operation.”
The ABM1 project will upgrade the biological nutrient removal (BNR) facilities at the RWF to enhance performance and extend the life of existing BNR basins. The project will also incorporate advanced process controls and energy-saving improvements to help the City meet its sustainability goals.
Work is set to begin in the fall of 2027 following the selection of a design-builder team, with the project expected to be completed by 2034.
"Brown and Caldwell has been a trusted partner for many years, and we have full confidence in their ability to help us navigate this exciting and complex project," said Verma during his presentation to the City Council.
