About Us
Community. Culture. Climate.
At West County Wastewater (WCW), we understand the significance of protecting the health of our community and the environment, today and for generations to come. We work around the clock to safely and responsibly collect, treat and dispose of wastewater, keeping our neighborhoods and our natural surroundings safe and setting the stage for a sustainable future.
WCW serves approximately 34,000 residences and 900 commercial and industrial businesses, with a total population of nearly 100,000. Founded in 1921, today we are transforming our organization and shaping the future of the regional wastewater industry with a team that is dedicated to innovation, progress, collaboration, service and eco-friendly practices.
To us, community and environmental stewardship is more than providing wastewater services – it is working together to encourage and employ healthy industry and environmental practices that will benefit the region, our communities and our ecosystem for years ahead.
Vision
Create a holistic plan for environmental stewardship through efficient wastewater management, extensive community engagement, inspirational leadership and integrated partnerships.
Mission
Protect public health through safe, responsible wastewater collection and treatment, recovering the water for reuse and promoting environmental stewardship for our community.
Core Values
Service
Delivering value with humility, agility and reliability
Trust
Starts with truth and ends with truth
Collaboration
More than the sum of our parts
Leadership
Be an example that inspires others
Accountability
If it is to be, it’s up to me
Sustainability
Securing what we have for what will be
Service & Stewardship
WCW is committed to providing reliable, high-quality service while acting as a steward for the community and the environment.
Quality
Lab test more than 6000 samples a year to ensure treated water is safe for discharge.
Reliability
Maintain and improve pipes and buildings to keep operations running smoothly.
Preservation
Provide treated water for industrial reuse, which saves valuable drinking water and preserves the local water supply.
Service
Respond 24 hours a day with on-call field staff available for emergencies.
Sustainability
Supply one-third of WCW’s energy needs using solar power panels located on WCW property.
Collaboration
Partner locally and regionally to maintain sewer systems, encourage best practices and protect the environment.
We serve approximately 34,000 residences and 900 commercial and industrial businesses, with a total population of approximately 100,000 in the following areas:
City of San Pablo
Tara Hills
Richmond (northern subdivisions)
East Richmond Heights
City of Pinole
(designated sectors)
El Sobrante Rollingwood Bayview
Parts of the unincorporated county
Responsible Wastewater Management
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 a Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant with a capacity of 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd), average dry weather flow.
Responsible wastewater collection, treatment and disposal prevents the spread of disease, keeping our neighborhoods healthy and stopping raw sewage from entering the environment, including the San Francisco Bay. The WCW team keeps sewage flowing away from homes and businesses by maintaining and monitoring the system and providing emergency response to overflows within our service area.
WCW’s collection and treatment process meets all state and federal regulations. We regularly perform tests to ensure viruses, bacteria and other contaminants are not present in treated wastewater discharge.
Our Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant has won the National Association of Clean Water Agencies Peak Performance Award for 21 years in a row and the corresponding Platinum 17 Award – a testament to our dedication to protecting local waters and the environment.
In addition, we send the majority of our treated wastewater to be used as recycled water for industrial purposes such as heating and cooling buildings, saving valuable drinking water for local residents.
History
1921
West County Wastewater District formed to serve 15,000 residents in San Pablo and North Richmond. 24-inch outfall to Castro Creek
1955
Constructed a 6 million gallon-per-day (mgd) primary treatment plant
1963
Sludge drying lagoon and other improvements
1972-75
Secondary treatment expansion to 12.5 mgd
1977
Sewage pumping and West County Agency partnership with City of Richmond
1980
Administrative facilities on Hilltop
1985
Wet weather equalization facilities; additional sludge drying lagoons; maintenance shop expansion
1998
Major remodel of operations/lab building; conversion from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite disinfection
2006
Remodel of administrative building
2008
1 megawatt (MW) of solar panels installed on WCW property
California Special District
West County Wastewater is a California Special District. Special districts are local service agencies that provide vital services such as water, wastewater and public safety that enhance our communities. Special districts are governed by locally elected or appointed boards, and promote local accountability, sustainability, specialized solutions and infrastructure.
Current Projects
As part of our promise to ensure reliable service, the WCW team assesses, maintains, improves and constructs the buildings, systems and sewer lines that collect, treat and dispose of wastewater. This includes maintenance and improvements at our Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant, as well as sewer systems in the local community.
Lift Station Upgrades
WCW is performing upgrades at various lift stations located throughout its service area. The improvements include civil, structural, electrical, pumps, instruments, and backup power at the Lakeside, McBryde, Park, Sobrante and Pinole lift stations. These upgrades will enhance reliability of service and provide more efficient transfer of wastewater.
Priority Pipes Project
WCW has replaced approximately 3.4 miles of deteriorating sewer lines in North Richmond. Staff continues to assess, prioritize, and design pipe replacements for the most deteriorated sections around the county, including El Sobrante, Lower San Pablo, and Carriage Hills.
Clean & Green Project
In 2021, WCW celebrated its 100th anniversary, aligning with the groundbreaking of our Clean & Green Project. WCW developed a Strategic Plan and Climate Action Plan, providing a clear road map towards becoming neutral by 2030. We revolutionized the traditional wastewater culture by embracing diverse talent from outside the industry creating an inclusive and innovative environment.
