Keeping the Flow: The Essential Role of Electrical Systems in Clean Water
Think about your home's plumbing. You expect clean water to come in, and used water to go out—every single time. It's a system you never have to worry about, and that's thanks to massive, complex facilities called Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs), or what we commonly call wastewater treatment plants.
But what actually runs these vital, 24/7 operations? It's not just pipes and pumps; it's a massive, specialized electrical nervous system.
At Con J. Franke Electric (CJF), we've been the silent backbone for California’s most crucial water infrastructure for decades. We don't just run wires; we engineer the specialized electrical systems—from power distribution to advanced controls—that ensure your community's clean water flow never stops.
Beyond the Outlet: Specialized Power for Critical Infrastructure
A wastewater plant is an industrial machine that can't take a sick day. To keep millions of gallons moving safely, reliability is everything. CJF specializes in the high-stakes electrical architecture required for this environment:
- SCADA Controls: This is the plant's "brain." We install and integrate the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems that allow operators to monitor and control every pump and valve in real-time. It's the automation that ensures efficiency and quick response to issues.
- The Powerhouse: We manage the installation of robust power components like Motor Control Centers (MCCs), which organize and control the power to hundreds of motors, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), which save energy by precisely regulating pump speed.
- Emergency Power: When the grid goes dark, the plant must stay live. CJF ensures seamless transitions to backup generators and transfer switches, maintaining operations for critical systems like pump stations. 24/7 reliability isn't a suggestion; it's our promise.
Safety First: Our Commitment to High-Risk Environments
Wastewater facilities contain high-voltage equipment, hazardous gas risks, and tight spaces. Working in these "live environments" demands more than standard electrical certifications.
Our teams adhere to strict safety protocols, including specialized training and certifications for:
- Confined Space Entry: Safely working within tanks, vaults, and pits.
- Arc Flash Safety: Protecting against the explosive energy release from electrical short circuits.
This commitment to safety is paramount, especially when working on retrofit projects—upgrading systems while the facility remains fully operational.
Spotlight on Progress: CJF’s Major California Projects
1. San José–Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility: The Mega-Modernization
This facility serves over 1.5 million people, processing an average of 110 MGD (Million Gallons a Day). We were tasked with the electrical work for the Digested Sludge Dewatering Project—a key part of their massive $1.4 billion program.
- The Scope: We handled the installation of all electrical switchgear, MCCs, and controls to support new sludge storage tanks, transfer pumps, and centrifuges.
- The Challenge: Executing this work on a tight schedule while managing global supply chain delays (post-COVID) for critical equipment. Our solution involved intense coordination with the Prime Contractor, Walsh Construction Inc., and the design team at Black & Veatch Corporation, allowing us to navigate the shortages and deliver the project on schedule for a 7/28/25 completion.
2. Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility: Building a Resilient Future
This new, highly sustainable facility in the Bay Area is a complete build-out designed to handle 1.3–3.9 MGD and is a $157 million project.
- The Expertise: As a design-assist partner with PCL Construction and Stantec Corporation, we are installing the complete electrical backbone—from the main utility connection to the complex DCS controls, security, and fire alarm systems.
- The Innovation: Working in the tight constraints of an island design-build environment required intense pre-planning. We used BIM modeling for site-wide coordination, integrating our electrical needs perfectly with wet and dry utilities before construction even began. The project is currently in the commissioning phase, set for completion in early 2026.
3. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD): The Live Retrofit
Upgrading a nearly 50-year-old facility that must run 24/7 is one of the toughest jobs in infrastructure.
- The Work: This $25 million project involves the electrical overhaul and retrofit of two massive 1970s multi-hearth furnaces and installing six powerful 2000 A MCCs.
- The Complexity: The biggest hurdle is keeping the plant operational while taking systems offline. To handle this, our team spent a full year performing a deep-dive investigation into the old wiring and conduits. This upfront planning allows us to stage equipment and execute rapid switchovers, minimizing downtime for the community. This work delivers huge improvements in efficiency, compliance, and long-term reliability.
100 Years of Experience, Modern Innovation
CJF has been serving California for over a century, and that experience is what informs our modern approach to wastewater. We understand that the most advanced technology is useless without the foundation of reliable power and expert execution.
By specializing in the electrical nervous system of these vital facilities—handling everything from high-voltage distribution to the finest control signals—we ensure that when you turn on your faucet, clean water flows, and when you flush, the system is prepared to handle it.
We are more than electrical contractors; we are the dedicated partners powering the progress and resilience of clean water for all of Northern California.
