CH2M HILL oversees water infrastructure improvement project in San Mateo, US

San Mateo city in California, US, has appointed US-based CH2M HILL as programme management advisor to oversee a $900m clean water programme (CWP).

The CWP, aimed at upgrading San Mateo’s sanitary sewer collection and wastewater treatment system, is expected to span 20 years.

Under the contract, CH2M HILL will provide programme planning and administration, programme controls, technical planning, engineering support, portal management and construction support for implementation of the combined CWP master plan.

CH2M HILL vice-president, programme manager and Water Resources & Ecosystems Management global service team leader Jay Witherspoon said: "Implementing the combined capital improvement programme (CIP) will require a tremendous effort in planning, coordination, standardisation and programme controls.

"Our experience and technical knowledge in programmes, planning, designing, constructing, starting-up and commissioning wastewater collection systems and treatment plants will be beneficial to the success of this project."

Sewer pipes in the Californian city date back to 1900s and the wastewater treatment plants were built between 1935 and 1980, which necessitates upgrade or replacement.

Two regulatory programmes for the city’s ancient wastewater treatment plan are also in process, which intend to stop the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and stormwater events from blending at the facility, besides proposing upgrades for its collection and treatment systems.

In addition to improving the aging infrastructure, the CWP master plan also intends to optimise wastewater treatment, biogas usage and conveyance infrastructure in the city.

The CIP, which is a major component of CWP’s master plan, is currently undergoing evaluation process with stakeholders.