West County Wastewater and OPTERRA Energy Services Celebrate Transformative “Clean & Green” Energy Project

Comprehensive infrastructure modernization delivers renewable energy, improved resiliency, and significant cost savings while advancing West County Wastewater’s sustainability goals.

RICHMOND, Calif. & OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--West County Wastewater (WCW) and OPTERRA Energy Services today announced significant progress on WCW’s comprehensive “Clean & Green” energy improvement project that modernizes critical infrastructure, strengthens energy resilience, and significantly reduces WCW’s environmental impact.

The project includes a microgrid for backup power, solar energy installations, a cogeneration system, electric vehicle charging stations, energy-efficient lighting upgrades, and an impactful expansion of the WCW’s equalization basins. The improvements are expected to deliver nearly $83 million in savings over the life of the project, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent, and increase WCW’s ability to handle extreme weather events.

The centerpiece of the project is a modernization of the solids process and handling system, enabling WCW’s Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant to produce Class A EPA biosolids. The system includes:

• New digesters
• Rotary drum thickeners
• Sludge dewatering equipment
• A thermal dryer
• An additional Equalization Basin, and
• An upgraded Headworks

These improvements transform wastewater residuals into a potentially reusable source of fertilizer, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers while diverting material from landfills. The new process is also expected to save nearly two million dollars in annual disposal costs.

The project demonstrates how wastewater facilities can move beyond traditional treatment to become resource-recovery and renewable-energy facilities, capturing valuable resources and energy from the treatment process.

“These infrastructure improvements allow WCW to become energy independent and more resilient in the face of extreme weather events,” said Andrew Clough, General Manager of WCW. “We are proud of our partnership with OPTERRA and the engagement with our community, including internships and community engagement programs, which ensure that our project goals include local workforce development and economic benefits for our rate payers and the City of Richmond. We are also excited about how moving away from open-air sludge drying lagoons has created opportunities for expanded Bay Trail improvements, wetland restoration, and the possible construction of a nature-based solution (Living Levee) to protect this critical public infrastructure from rising sea levels.”

“West County Wastewater is demonstrating industry leadership as an environmental steward in the Bay Area and beyond,” said Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “Through its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, maximizing resource recovery and energy production, and transforming infrastructure capacity to minimize long-term environmental impact, WCW is making significant strides toward becoming a carbon net-negative enterprise. We are proud to partner with the District on this transformational project and help bring its long-term sustainability vision to life.”

Construction on the “Clean & Green” Project began in 2022, with Phase One encompassing major improvements to WCW’s treatment infrastructure, energy systems, and resource recovery capabilities. The project represents a significant investment in the future of the District and the community, creating a more efficient, resilient, and environmentally sustainable wastewater system.

About West County Wastewater

WCW serves several communities in the Richmond, California, area by providing wastewater collection and treatment services to approximately 34,000 homes and 900 commercial and industrial businesses, with a population of nearly 100,000. WCW owns, operates, and maintains a wastewater collection system with 249 miles of gravity sewer pipelines, 17 lift stations, 6 miles of pressure force mains, and the WQRRP with a capacity of 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd). The WQRRP also processes sludge generated by the City of Richmond Treatment Plant, thereby providing services and generating Class A biosolids for an additional population of greater than 100,000.

About OPTERRA Energy Services

OPTERRA, an LS Power company, is a national energy company headquartered in Oakland, California. Following Opterra’s acquisition of NORESCO in 2026, OPTERRA employs 750 energy professionals across the U.S. as one of America's premier energy service companies. The company provides comprehensive energy and infrastructure solutions to municipalities, K-16 education, special districts, and state and federal agencies. OPTERRA and its NORESCO line of business have delivered 880 megawatts of installed distributed generation, provided services to 19,000 facilities, and secured more than $8 billion in customer energy savings over the company’s 50+ year history. For more information, visit www.opterraenergy.com.