From your tap to the San Francisco Bay
EBMUD's Main Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastewater to protect public health and the San Francisco Bay.
Welcome
EBMUD is an industry leader in wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and environmental stewardship.
Since 1951, EBMUD has provided wastewater treatment services at the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect public health and the San Francisco Bay. This work is essential to provide a high quality of life for over 7 million people living across the region, and to protect the fish, mammals, reptiles, birds, plants, and endangered species that rely upon the San Francisco Bay.
Scroll down through three sections of the virtual tour: Treatment Videos, Interactive Map, and Meet EBMUD staff.
Treatment Videos
Preliminary Treatment
Preliminary treatment involves pumping and the removal of trash and debris.
Primary Treatment
Primary treatment is a physical process in which particles settle to the bottom of tanks by gravity.
Secondary Treatment
Secondary treatment is a biological process.
In the oxygen reactors, microorganisms break down the waste.
In the secondary clarifiers, heavy particles and microorganisms settle to the bottom by gravity.
Solids Treatment
Solids undergo treatment in the anaerobic digesters. While liquid treatment is relatively short (6-8 hours), solids treatment is much longer (15-20 days).
Biosolids
Biosolids are a nutrient-rich by-product of wastewater treatment. Similar to potting soil or fertilizer, biosolids provide environmental benefits at farms and compost facilities.
Resource Recovery
Trucked waste is added to the solids treatment process to enhance the production of renewable electricity.
Electricity
Renewable electricity that is produced on-site is used to power the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant or is sold to the Port of Oakland.
Recycled Water
Up to 2.6 million gallons per day of treated wastewater undergoes additional treatment at the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant to become recycled water for non-potable purposes.
Laboratory
Before treated wastewater is discharged to the Bay, it is rigorously monitored by the EBMUD laboratory.
Disinfection and Dechlorination
Disinfection with chlorine is necessary to kill germs like viruses and bacteria. After disinfection, the chlorine must be removed before the treated wastewater can be discharged to the Bay.
Discharge to the San Francisco Bay
Treated wastewater travels 1.2 miles out into the San Francisco Bay and is discharged through an outfall pipe 50 ft under water.
EBMUD is committed to its core mission of providing wastewater treatment to protect public health and the San Francisco Bay.
Interactive Map
Explore the interactive map and eight diagrams below.
See what happens at each step of the treatment process and where it takes place.
01 / 08
1
Preliminary Treatment
2
Primary Treatment
3
Secondary Treatment
4
Recycled Water
5
Power Generation
6
Solids Treatment
7
Resource Recovery
8
Disinfection and Discharge
Meet EBMUD Staff
The Wastewater Department works 24/7 to treat your water and protect the San Francisco Bay.
Resources
Thank you for learning more about the EBMUD Main Wastewater Treatment Plant!
A clean Bay begins with you!
Questions? Email cleanbay@ebmud.com.
