Currents Digital Currents July/August 2017 | Page 6

Putting Your #2 to Work
Believe it or not, your #2 works for me. After
the treatment process, the solid materials in
wastewater (human and food waste) are called
biosolids, because they are primarily composed
of recyclable organic material. The liquid portion
of wastewater gets cleaned and returned to the
bay or ocean. The solids are also cleaned or
“digested” just like your body digests food and
turns it into nutrients and energy.
At the Southeast Treatment Plant in the
Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, my
digesters are struggling to treat everything you
send my way. Built in 1952, this is my workhorse
plant, handling 80% of the City’s wastewater.
Thanks to the SSIP, I’m getting new digesters.
When the Biosolids digester Facilities project is
completed, these new facilities will clean the
biosolids to be virtually pathogen free allowing
for expanded beneficial uses. I’ll also use the
biogas produced to generate energy, and I will
smell better and look better so neighbors can
be proud to live near me! sfwater.org/digesters
6 currents | JULY/AUGUST 2017
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