West County Wastewater outlines $83–85 million ‘Clean and Green’ overhaul, seeks federal and state matches

Andrew Clow, general manager of West County Wastewater, presented the agency’s Clean and Green project to the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council on July 13, saying the work will convert sludge ponds to Class A biosolids, add solar and cogeneration and build a battery‑backed microgrid so the plant can keep operating during public‑safety power shutoffs.

“We look at what comes down the pipe not as wastewater, but rather we see ourselves in the resource recovery business,” Clow said, describing plans to thicken sludge, capture methane and use it to generate electricity for the plant. He told attendees the agency expects the project will cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically and produce energy savings the presentation quantified as roughly 4 million kilowatt‑hours per year.

Clow outlined a phased approach that also includes a community‑informed shoreline adaptation plan (a “living levee” approach between Wildcat and San Pablo creeks). He said the district has received $1,350,000 in Army Corps of Engineers work‑plan funding to advance final design for the first 0.6 miles of shoreline work and is pursuing state and federal matching funds to continue construction. Clow estimated the full Clean and Green program will cost about $83–85 million and said a large share of the long‑term savings will come from eliminating ongoing PG&E energy costs.

Residents pressed the agency on recent rate increases. Clow said the board recently approved a rate study and the agency implemented a sizable increase (he cited 12% as the recent increase in the presentation), which he said is intended to address roughly $130 million in prioritized capital needs; he said the current rate plan aims to reach a “sustainable rate structure” over time. An attendee identified as Laurie Hart told the council, “This 8.5 increase is huge,” expressing concern about affordability; Clow acknowledged the burden and said delaying work would cost ratepayers more over time.

Clow and the chair, Arto Rentila, described a limited sewer‑lateral assistance program (the district’s “pipes” program) that can rebate homeowners who must replace laterals; Rentila said rebates can be “as high as 40%” while funds remain available. Clow noted West County serves about 30% of the City of Richmond and that other parts of the city are served by separate sewer agencies, which complicates how costs and projects are allocated across the city.

Clow appealed for continued local and regional grant support and said West County has leveraged local dollars, regional restoration authority grants and the Army Corps funding to advance designs and reduce the local cost burden. He offered to return with a district map and more detailed financial tracking documents on request.

No formal action or vote was taken at the RNCC meeting on July 13; presenters said they would follow up with maps and program details and continue seeking matching funds for construction.