TO: City Council DATE: August 24, 2026 DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Alfredo Huerta, Director of Engineering PRESENTER: City Staff and HDR
AGENDA TITLE: Receive, Approve, and File the 2026 Wastewater Collection System Master Plan, City Project No. WWP00021, Report by HDR
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept and file the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan prepared by HDR Engineering, Inc., and direct staff to incorporate its recommendations into the City’s Capital Improvement Program and long‑range planning efforts.
BACKGROUND
In November 2023, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to prepare the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan (City Project No. WWP00021). The purpose of the plan was to evaluate existing data, collect and model new information, develop risk models, and prepare capital improvement priorities and budgets for the replacement and renovation of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system. HDR was selected based on qualifications and prior successful work with the City, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant overhaul and Water Treatment Plant upgrade.
Since that time, HDR has worked closely with City staff to complete site investigations, mapping, hydraulic modeling, and capacity and risk analysis of the system. The final Master Plan is now complete and ready for Council consideration.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Master Plan provides a comprehensive assessment of the City’s wastewater collection system infrastructure, including data collection and modeling, capacity and risk analysis, Condition and geotechnical assessments.
Key outcomes include:
Prioritized 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) recommendations broken up into 0-to-5-year and 6-to-10-year ranges.
Evaluation of growth and redevelopment impacts on system capacity.
Strategies for system resiliency against climate, seismic, and environmental.
Adoption of the plan will allow staff to confidently pursue funding opportunities and align projects with General Plan policies on Public Facilities and Safety. Council acceptance does not obligate immediate construction but establishes a framework for budgeting, grant applications, and systematic project delivery.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
Preparation of the Master Plan was funded through the Wastewater Enterprise Fund, with $750,000 budgeted in FY 2023/24. Adoption of the plan itself has no direct fiscal impact. Future projects identified in the plan will require separate appropriations and may be eligible for state and federal funding programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Acceptance of the Master Plan is categorically exempt under CEQA as a planning study pursuant to §15262. Any future projects will undergo projectspecific environmental review.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY Consistent with General Plan Element 3 (Public Facilities) and Element 7 (Safety). Supports Council priorities for infrastructure resiliency, public service, and sustainable growth.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Outreach was primarily technical (consultant coordination, staff workshops).
Broader community engagement will occur during implementation phases of specific projects.
COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
ALTERNATIVES:
Accept the Master Plan as presented.
Request revisions or additional analysis prior to adoption.
Decline adoption, which would leave the City without a current planning framework for wastewater collection improvements.
ATTACHMENTS:
Final Wastewater Collection System Master Plan (HDR, 2026) Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Presentation
NOTIFICATION:
HDR Engineering, Inc.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8A
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT