Metropolitan Wastewater Department

Protecting Our Valuable Ocean Environment

San Diego is known for its glorious coastline, rich marine environment and an endless variety of year-round water activities. The City of San Diego is also known for its Ocean Monitoring Program, the largest of its kind in the world. Operated in support of our regional wastewater treatment facilities, City scientists collect and analyze tens of thousands of ocean samples yearly. Over half a million pieces of chemical, biological and oceanographic data are generated by this effort and used to assess the coastal marine environment, as well as insure that the quality of our local ocean resource is preserved.

Generating Renewable Energy Resources

The City of San Diego is a leader in pursuing energy independence. We are committed to reducing power consumption and conserving natural resources. Using methane gas produced during the wastewater treatment process, from wells at the Miramar Landfill, the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, the North City Water Reclamation Plant and the Metro Biosolids Center, all of these facilities operate fully energy self-sufficient. We further reduce our electrical dependence by using a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system and a hydroelectric plant driven by treated wastewater.