Yosemite National Park broke ground on a new wastewater treatment plant, a move the park says will keep its infrastructure intact for the next half century.
The project will cost $239 million in total.
The big picture: The new El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plan was funded through the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, signed by President Donald Trump in 2020.
- Yosemite’s current treatment plant is 45 years old and is the sole wastewater treatment system for Yosemite Valley, El Portal and other communities.
- It supports over four million visitors annually, 700 residents and hundreds of employees.
Go deeper: The new plant will treat up to one million gallons of wastewater per day.
- Along with the new plant, the project includes the demolition of outdated structures and the rehabilitation of the former El Portal administrative camp to house construction crews in RV sites.
Why it matters: Yosemite’s current wastewater treatment plant is outdated and deteriorating, providing insufficient treatment capacity.
- The park said replacement parts are difficult to find or are no longer manufactured due to the age of the plant, increasing the likelihood of environmental damage and incurring costly emergency repairs.
- The new plant will meet current regulatory and environmental standards and also enhance operational reliability and reduce future maintenance costs.
- It addresses around $156 million in deferred maintenance across the wastewater system infrastructure.
What we’re watching: Yosemite plans to have the new plant completed by 2029.
What they’re saying: “This project is essential to the continued protection of public health and the environment, and also to the future of visitor services and park operations in Yosemite,” said Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden. “Upgrading this facility allows us to better safeguard the Wild and Scenic Merced River, serve our community and guests, support park concession operations, and ensure the park remains resilient for the next 50 years.”
