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EPA awards nearly $2.5 million to Vallejo to upgrade Mare Island’s sewer system

Release Date: 8/25/2005
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415/947-4149; [email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the City of Vallejo almost $2.5 million over four years to improve Mare Island’s seventy year old sewer system.

The EPA is adding $288,700 this year to the $337,500 provided last year and the $1.87 million provided in 2003 to improve Mare Island’s sewage treatment facilities. Construction begins in early September.

The funding is being used to upgrade sewage pump stations, which need modern control systems to replace the existing outdated equipment, prevent sewage overflow and increase overall dependability. In addition, the funds will be used to rehabilitate sewer lines, to reduce inflow and infiltration using state-of-the-art non-intrusive construction techniques.

"This project illustrates the need for all communities to repair and replace their sewage infrastructure to serve the needs of generations to come," said Alexis Strauss, director of the water division in EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office. "This funding will provide long overdue repair of Mare Island’s sewage treatment facilities to protect the water quality of the Delta and San Francisco Bay."

After over 140 years of operation, the Mare Island Naval Shipyard was closed in 1996. Since the closure, the City of Vallejo has been working to reuse and develop the island to boost the local economy. "The reuse of Mare Island is a key part of the future of the City of Vallejo," said Vallejo Mayor Anthony Intintoli, Jr. "Addressing environmental issues and upgrading outdated systems are important elements of the reuse plan. From new homes to new commercial uses, Mare Island will once again be a thriving, vital part of the Vallejo community. We appreciate Congressman Miller's efforts and thank the EPA for their commitment to this project."

For more information on the EPA’s sewage treatment programs, go to https://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/stormwater.html