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Jacobs has been selected by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to deliver a major wastewater treatment upgrade aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution entering San Francisco Bay. Announced on 28 October 2026, the Southeast Treatment Plant Nutrient Reduction Project represents an estimated $1 billion investment, according to Jacobs. Jacobs and PCL Construction will deliver the project through a joint venture, which will design and construct advanced treatment facilities to improve wastewater quality and support compliance with environmental requirements.
The Southeast Treatment Plant is San Francisco's largest wastewater treatment facility, processing approximately 80% of the city's wastewater. The upgrade will introduce advanced treatment processes designed to reduce total inorganic nitrogen discharged into San Francisco Bay. Excess nitrogen and other nutrients can drive algal blooms and reduce water quality, threatening aquatic ecosystems. The project is among the region's largest planned nutrient reduction investments and forms part of broader efforts to protect the Bay while modernising essential wastewater infrastructure.
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The project will use a progressive design-build approach, allowing Jacobs and PCL to coordinate engineering, construction planning and project delivery while the existing wastewater treatment plant remains operational. Tom Meinhart, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, said, "Jacobs brings decades of experience delivering critical wastewater infrastructure projects for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, including upgrades at the Southeast Treatment Plant." The company will draw on its experience in large-scale water infrastructure, including previous wastewater treatment modernisation projects across California.
Stephen Robinson, Assistant General Manager for Infrastructure at SFPUC, said, "This is a major investment to help protect San Francisco Bay by reducing nutrients in wastewater." He emphasised that the new treatment processes will help the facility meet updated state and federal environmental requirements. The project also presents operational challenges because construction and infrastructure upgrades must take place while the plant continues processing most of San Francisco's wastewater. The announcement does not specify the targeted percentage reduction in nitrogen discharges or a final completion date.
Beyond environmental improvements, the project will support SFPUC's Social Impact Partnership through investments in local community health, education, workforce training and development. As the upgrade progresses, Jacobs and PCL are expected to create opportunities for local businesses and workers. The investment reflects growing efforts by US utilities to modernise wastewater treatment infrastructure and reduce nutrient pollution. Its long-term environmental impact will depend on successfully installing advanced treatment systems and achieving measurable improvements in the quality of wastewater discharged into San Francisco Bay.
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Ankit Palan is a Canada based writer who has been writing about sustainability for the past four years. He focuses on making topics like climate change, ESG, and responsible business easier to understand and more relatable. His work looks at how sustainability plays out in the real world, across businesses, finance, and everyday decisions, without overcomplicating it.
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