UPDATE: Volunteers are taking action RIGHT NOW to protect the Bay Area from climate change, as they plant the region’s very first “living levee” at the Harbor Marsh coastline in the Palo Alto Baylands. This innovative project aims to absorb storm surges and mitigate flooding, a pressing concern as sea levels rise and threaten local communities.
On December 10, 2025, approximately 35 volunteers gathered early in the morning to kick off the planting of native species, including black elderberry and marsh baccharis, using treated wastewater to irrigate the new levee. The project, which is estimated to cost nearly $7 million, is not just a local initiative but a pioneering effort to combine wastewater reuse with vital habitat restoration.
Jessie Olsen from Save the Bay emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is the first phase of work, with the plants expected to reach full maturity by 2026.” The involvement of the community highlights how hands-on experiences can effectively teach about nature-based solutions.
According to Karin North, Assistant Director of Public Works in Palo Alto, “This project is unique on the San Francisco Bay shoreline.” The levee will utilize treated wastewater from the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, which processes 20 million gallons of wastewater daily for over 230,000 residents. This facility recently underwent more than $369 million in upgrades to ensure safe water release, critical for marine life.
Unlike traditional concrete levees, this “living levee” will leverage native plants to provide natural flood protection. It is designed to absorb the impacts of storm surges while also creating a habitat for diverse wildlife, including clapper rails and the western pygmy blue butterfly. The dual purpose of this project aims not only to enhance protection against flooding but also to accumulate sediment and support marsh growth amidst rising sea levels.
The city’s climate adaptation assessment warns that sea levels could rise between 3 to 10 feet by 2100, threatening essential public services and infrastructure. Many areas in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto already face flooding challenges during severe weather events, making this levee a crucial step towards safeguarding vulnerable communities.
Volunteer efforts will continue, with another planting day scheduled for Saturday morning. As the project unfolds, officials hope it will serve as a model for future shoreline protection initiatives in the Bay Area.
As Samantha Engelage, a senior engineer with the city, noted, “We hope to learn from this project and use it as a model for larger designs.” Similar projects are already in the works, such as Oro Loma’s horizontal levee in Hayward, which also utilizes treated wastewater.
This groundbreaking initiative not only addresses immediate flood risks but also encourages a shift in how communities view wastewater—transforming it from a waste product into a valuable resource for ecological resilience. As Heidi Nutters from the San Francisco Estuary Partnership said, “When our natural systems are designed to support resilience, they provide multiple benefits.”
Stay tuned for further updates as this living levee project progresses, marking a significant step forward in climate adaptation for the Bay Area and beyond. Share this urgent news and join the conversation about innovative solutions to combat climate change!
