By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : January 27, 2026 10:13 am
Jacobs will upgrade and replace mesophilic digesters to reduce the volume of biosolids hauled offsite while boosting the conversion of biogas that powers the plant’s award-winning cogeneration system
Jacobs has secured a $200 million contract to modernize the San José–Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility, one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment plants in the western United States, positioning the city’s aging biosolids infrastructure for decades of growth and sustainability.
The Dallas-based engineering firm was selected as the progressive design-build contractor for the sweeping upgrade, which will replace aging digesters, expand renewable energy generation and strengthen seismic resilience at the critical facility serving Silicon Valley.
Under the project, Jacobs will upgrade and replace mesophilic digesters to reduce the volume of biosolids hauled offsite while boosting the conversion of biogas that powers the plant’s award-winning cogeneration system — also originally designed and built by Jacobs.
The work includes construction of a new Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) receiving station to process high-strength waste from local businesses into clean energy, cutting natural gas use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Jacobs Executive Vice President Greg Fischer said: “As San José plans for more housing and jobs, reliable wastewater infrastructure becomes essential to protect public health and support economic vitality. Leveraging our experience in digester design and biological process optimization, we deliver long-term performance that turns waste into renewable energy and strengthens sustainability for generations.”
The project is expected to significantly increase renewable energy output. Jacobs’ design approach — which may include its proprietary Microbial Hydrolysis Process — could raise biogas production by up to 36% while cutting biosolids by as much as 74 wet tons per day, roughly the weight of 50 mid-size cars. The upgraded facility is being designed to meet operational demands through 2077.
Jacobs will deliver the work through a design-build contract with Walsh Construction and Structural Technologies serving as lead construction partners.
San José–Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility Deputy Director Kapil Verma emphasized the project’s role in the city’s long-term infrastructure strategy.
“The completion of our previous capital improvements marked a major milestone in strengthening our wastewater treatment infrastructure. That success gave us the momentum to launch the next decade of improvements.
"Working with Jacobs on this critical project as our strategic design-build collaborator ensures we can build on what we’ve achieved and continue investing in reliable, sustainable systems that will serve our community for generations.”