STAFF REPORT
2 Meeting Date:
August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. It is recommended that the City Council receive a presentation from staff and a status update on the City’s Wastewater Master Plan.
Appropriation: $0 Fund: N/A
Submitted By: Mark McAvoy Approved:
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report provides the City Council with a progress update on the development of the City’s Wastewater Master Plan (WMP) and recommends that the City Council receive and file the update. The WMP assesses the capacity, condition, and reliability of the City’s wastewater collection system and stormwater diversion structures, and will guide future capital improvement planning and sewer rate setting. The final WMP report is scheduled to be presented to the City Council in December 2025.
DISCUSSION
Background:
On August 13, 2024, the City awarded a consultant services agreement to Dudek for the preparation of the WMP. This effort builds upon previous planning documents, including the 2002 and 2009 Sewer System Strategic Plans, and reflects more than $60 million in wastewater system investments made since 2002. The WMP includes condition and capacity assessments of all major components of the wastewater collection system and stormwater diversion structures.
Scope and Objectives:
Dudek’s scope of work includes flow monitoring, field surveys, and physical inspections of the wastewater infrastructure. The WMP aims to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of the City’s wastewater system by addressing both capacity and infrastructure condition. Specific objectives include:
1. Analyze the hydraulic capacity and identify deficiencies
2. Recommend capacity improvements
3. Assess the condition of collection infrastructure, including:
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a. Pipelines
b. Manholes
c. Lift stations
d. Stormwater diversion structures
4. Determine rehabilitation and replacement needs
5. Estimate remaining useful life of components
6. Prioritize capital improvement projects based on:
a. Capacity and condition assessments
b. Cost estimates
7. Update the City’s wastewater GIS layers and system maps.
Significant progress has been made toward completing the WMP. Key accomplishments include the following:
Progress to Date:
a. Flow Monitoring and Hydraulic Evaluation
Five flow meters were installed at key locations within the system. Flow monitoring was conducted from December 2024 through February 2025 to assess the current and future capacity of trunk sewer lines and validate system performance under both dry and wet weather conditions. Data from the flow monitoring, along with manhole field surveys, were used to develop and calibrate a trunk sewer hydraulic model.
Thankfully, no capacity deficiencies were identified in the portion of the City’s collection system included in the hydraulic model.
b. Manhole Topographic Survey
To support the development of the trunk sewer hydraulic model, a topographic survey was performed to identify the location and depth of 300 manholes along the trunk lines, which represent approximately 10 percent of the system’s 2,937 manholes. The information collected will also be used to enhance the City’s GIS system database. Maintaining an accurate mapping of underground utilities in the City’s GIS enables staff to easily identify and locate subsurface infrastructure, which is critical for planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the wastewater system. c. Pipeline CCTV Review and Condition Assessment
Dudek reviewed and evaluated approximately 30 miles of pipeline CCTV inspection records provided by the City to identify issues such as cracks, blockages, root intrusion, and other structural defects without extensive excavation. CCTV inspection records of gravity pipeline segments were conducted between 2016 and 2021. To date, approximately 15 miles of the City’s 93 miles of sewer pipelines have been rehabilitated through pipe lining, which represents about 16 percent of the system. These improvements were completed through a series of four contracts between 2018 and 2022, prioritizing critical areas based on the results of the previous video inspection program. Recommended rehabilitation methods may include cured-in-place
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pipe lining (CIPP), which installs a new pipe within the existing one; full replacement through open trench excavation; localized point repairs for short sections; excavation point repairs for severely damaged segments; and removal of debris or roots to restore hydraulic capacity. Resulting rehabilitation recommendations include the following:
Repair Description Number of Segments Quantity (LF or EA) CIPP Lining, 6”, 8”, or 10” Pipe 85 16,268 LF
CIPP Lining, 15” or 18” Pipe 9 2,235 LF
Excavation Point Repair, 6”, 8”, or 10” Pipe 410 EA
Excavation Point Repair and Lining, 8” Pipe 2 258 LF
Replace in Place, 8” or 10” Pipe 18 3,594 LF
The preliminary estimate to perform the pipe repair work summarized above is approximately $8.7 million. d. Stormwater Diversion Structures Assessment
Field inspections of all stormwater diversion structures have been completed. These systems help protect water quality during the summer seasons by diverting urban stormwater into the wastewater system and preventing debris from reaching the ocean. Most facilities include multiple underground structures: an inlet diversion (weir or grate), a CDS hydrodynamic separator, a diversion valve (manual or motorized), and cleanout features. Most facilities are in good condition but need standing water pumped out and debris or soil removed from the bottom. Some valve assemblies are partially buried due to settled debris, and many metal valves show moderate corrosion from constant submersion. The cost to perform this work is minimal and will be covered under the current operations and maintenance budget. e. Manhole Condition Assessment
High-resolution scans and digital 3D models of 400, representing approximately 14 percent of the City’s 2,937 manholes, to identify structural issues and assist in prioritizing rehabilitation efforts. Manhole rehabilitation methods recommended included mortar repair with corrosion resistant geopolymer mortar, cured-in-place (CIP) PVC composite manhole liners (CIPM liner) or a combination of mortar repair with CIPM lining. The 400 manholes assessed were selected with input from City staff to focus on locations of greatest concern, based on areas where issues have been observed over the years through routine inspections, maintenance activities, and staff knowledge of recurring problems. Of the manholes reviewed, 46% (185) were flagged for having fair or poor wall thickness ratings and/or being non-standard brick manholes. Twenty-seven (27) of the manholes assessed require significant rehabilitation, such as CIPM Lining. Resulting manhole rehabilitation recommendations include the following:
Repair Description Number of
Manholes
Cost Estimate
per Manhole
Construction
Cost Total
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Mortar Repair with Geopolymer Mortar 124 $20,000 $2,480,000 CIPM Manhole Liner 11 $30,000 $330,000
Mortar Repair and CIPM Liner 16 $40,000 $640,000
Additional Manhole Assessments (remaining
2,537 not included in the WMP)
2,537 $230 $583,510
TOTAL $4,033,510
On July 22, 2025, the City Council awarded a sole source contract to Hydro-Klean, LLC dba HK Solutions Group, LLC for the trenchless rehabilitation of three deteriorated manholes using the patented Monoform Plus system which is a form of CIPM Liner. This system installs a new reinforced concrete liner inside the existing structure without excavation, providing a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant solution with less cost and disruption than full replacement. Staff will evaluate this process for manhole rehabilitation and determine whether this is a preferred method for manhole rehabilitation.
The master plan will recommend that the remaining 2,537 manholes be assessed to determine whether additional repairs or replacements are required. While it is expected that some of these manholes will require repair or replacement, it is not expected to be at the same rate as found with the 400 already assessed because those were locations identified by staff as locations of concern. Future costs and capital improvement projects will result from the assessments.
f. Lift Stations Assessments
Dudek completed field inspections of all 26 wastewater lift stations. These assessments documented existing conditions and will guide the establishment of a prioritized rehabilitation plan. Recommendations include replacing corroded electrical and mechanical components, replacing pumps approaching the end of their service life, removing debris obstructing critical access points, and addressing the structural condition of wet wells. A preliminary estimate of approximately $12 million has been identified for near-term improvement needs. These improvements will enhance system reliability and reduce risk of failure and spills. Nine lift stations have been identified for full replacement, including wet well rehabilitation, generator building replacement, hatch and door replacements, electrical and instrumentation upgrades, and replacement of pumps, valves, and piping in poor condition. The remaining lift stations can be rehabilitated to address specific areas of concern in the mid- and long-term periods, as outlined in the draft Capital Improvement Project prioritization included as Attachment 1.
Lift Stations In Need of Replacement
1. Brooks Street Near Term
2. Pearl Street Mid Term
3. McKnight Lane Mid Term
4. Cleo Street Mid Term
5. Fisherman’s Cove Mid Term
6. Animal Shelter Long Term
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7. Bernard Court Long Term
8. Arch Beach Heights Long Term
9. Heisler Park Long Term
The following lift station work is currently budgeted and underway:
• Construction for the replacement of the Anita St Sewer Lift Station. • Construction bid advertisement for the rehabilitation of the Old Top of World Sewer Lift Station – Phase 1
• Design for the replacement of the Bluebird Canyon Sewer Lift Station • Design for the rehabilitation of the Victoria II Sewer Lift Station • Design for the replacement of the Crescent Bay Sewer Lift Station On March 10, 2025, Dudek and City staff met to discuss the results from the assessments for the City’s lift stations. During the workshop, Dudek presented high-priority safety risks and code violations identified during the assessments of each lift station. City staff is actively addressing several of these issues.
Additional items are scheduled for completion later this year, while others will be incorporated into the design phase for each lift station. Below is a breakdown of the issues and their current status.
Lift Station Name Completed Work Upcoming Work Work To Be Incorporated with Design
Victoria I Replacement of odor
scrubber media.
Replacement of wet
well access manhole
lid.
Wet well access cover.
Rockledge New generator.
Millers
Planning for options of
replacement and future
ownership.
Pearl Street
Planed lift station
building door, secured
pump power cable, and
trimmed overgrown
cactus around the site.
Replacement of wet
well access manhole
lid.
New generator.
Bluebird Canyon Planned generator
building door.
Replacement of wet
well access manhole
lid.
Wet well access cover and
replacement of the generator
room.
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Lift Station Name Completed Work Upcoming Work Work To Be Incorporated with Design
Brooks Street
Repaired sump pump
discharge piping and
replaced the wet well
level transducer.
Electrical upgrades.
Cleo Street Planned lift station
building door.
Replacement of lift station
building, wet well lining, and
mechanical piping
replacement.
Main Beach
New generator, vault
waterproofing, replacement
of access ladder, and wet
well hatch replacement.
Heisler Park Replacement of electrical
junction box.
Fisherman’s
Cove
Planned lift station
building door. Wet well hatch replacement.
Fairview New gas sensors and wet
well hatch replacement.
Crescent Bay
Planned lift station
building door and
removed broken
concrete from the
generator building roof.
New generator building.
McKnight Relocation.
Irvine Cove
Trimmed overgrown
vegetation that affects
lift station
communication.
Replacement of wet
well access manhole
lid.
Santa Cruz
Trimmed overground
vegetation around the
lift station building and
cleaned SCADA
communication boxes.
Bernard Court
Trimmed overground
vegetation around the
lift station building.
Replacement of blower,
electrical upgrades, and wet
well lining.
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Lift Station Name Completed Work Upcoming Work Work To Be Incorporated with Design
Bonn Drive
Replacement of wet
well access manhole
lid.
Electrical upgrades and
replacement of the blower.
Arch Beach
Heights
Replaced valve vault
pipe supports.
Generator building
ventilation.
Nyes Place Replacement of all vaults.
Laguna SOCWA
Repaired sump pump
discharge piping, fixed
oxygen injection
control panel alarm, and
cleaned oxygen
concentration system
control panel.
Removal of existing steel Ibeams left over from a
previous pump replacement,
VFDs for all pumps,
Bluebird
SOCWA
Replacement of isolation
valve, replacement of ducting
between the dry well and the
odor scrubber building, and
VFDs for all pumps
g. North Coast Interceptor
For the North Coast Interceptor (NCI) Reach 5 Replacement Project, staff will complete the 90% design, finalize the IS/MND, obtain all necessary permits and easements, and present the project to the Planning Commission for Design Review.
On August 13, 2024, City Council received and filed Dudek’s NCI Condition Assessment Results and Recommendations report, dated July 2024. Updated cost estimates were prepared for the NCI Reach 1 through 4 improvements. These projects will be incorporated into the 10-year and 20-year Capital Improvement Program of the Wastewater Master Plan (WMP). A summary of the updated project costs for Reach 1 through 4 is provided below.
Reach Proposed Project
Estimated
project
cost in
2020
dollars
Estimated
project cost
in 2025
dollars
3 Construct new dual 14” diameter forcemains in parallel alignment
$6,400,000 $8,000,000
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1 Construct new dual 12” diameter forcemains along new
alignment
$4,400,000 $5,600,000
2 - Siphon Slipline or CIIP line 21” pipe $2,000,000 $2,500,000 4 Construct a new parallel 18” gravity sewer downstream of Nyes Place inverted siphon
$5,000,000 $6,400,000
2 - Gravity Rehabilitate (9) existing manholes and line the existing VCP gravity pipeline with CIIP.
$2,000,000 $2,500,000
Summary of Findings and Costs
To date, most system recommendations have been developed, and preliminary cost estimates have been prepared. The remaining tasks include finalizing project prioritization, establishing a ranking methodology, and completing full cost projections. The WMP will serve as the foundation for future capital improvement planning, exercising previously approved loan limits with I-Bank, and setting sewer rates accordingly. In April 2025, the City Council awarded a professional services agreement to IB Consulting to conduct a Sewer Rate Study. A kickoff meeting occurred in May 2025, with data collection underway. The WMP capital improvement recommendations will be incorporated into the Sewer Rate Study. The current City sewer rates expire on June 30, 2025. The chart below provides a summary of preliminary costs in 2025 dollars. Dudek will continue working to further refine the scope of work and related costs. The deliverable will then be a 10-year and 20-year Capital Improvement Program to ensure a well-maintained wastewater system.
Summary of Repairs and Preliminary Costs
Item Preliminary Cost
Pipeline Lining Repair (from 30 miles reviewed in the WMP) $8,700,000 Pipeline CCTV Report Review (remaining 48 miles) $200,000 Pipelines Lining Repair (remaining 48 miles) $28,000,000 Manhole Repairs (recommended in the WMP) $3,400,000
Manhole Assessments (remaining 2,537) $600,000
Manhole Topo Survey (remaining 2,637) $1,000,000
Manhole Repairs (remaining 2,537) $22,000,000
Lift Station Repairs (Near-Term) $12,000,000
Lift Station Repairs (Mid- & Long-Term) $36,000,000
North Coast Interceptor $25,000,000
TOTAL $136,900,000
Total Preliminary Estimate is $135.5 million. The final WMP report is anticipated to be presented to the City Council in December 2025.
Sewer Rate Increase
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The City’s current sewer rates were last adjusted in 2021, following a comprehensive workshop and Prop 218 process that approved a five-year rate schedule with annual increases of 6% through June 30, 2026. In April 2025, the City initiated a new Sewer Rate Study, led by IB Consulting, to update the rate structure in alignment with the significant infrastructure needs identified in the Wastewater Master Plan. Following presentation of the final WMP in December 2025, staff anticipates returning to the City Council in early 2026 with a proposed rate schedule and initiating the Proposition 218 process. If the City Council approves moving forward with the rate increase, this would include a minimum 45-day public notice period and typically takes approximately 90 days from Council authorization to implementation.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this update. The Wastewater Master Plan is being completed under an existing agreement with Dudek and will be used to guide future capital planning and sewer rate adjustments.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
This update is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The preparation of the Wastewater Master Plan is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Individual projects that may be identified within the WMP shall be evaluated under CEQA for the appropriate determination at the time the project is developed or designed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Lift Station Capital Improvement Project Prioritization (Pgs. 9 – 17) Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Ulises Escalona, Senior Project Manager Thomas Perez, City Engineer Pierre Sawaya, Capital Program Manager
Richard Gonzales, Deputy Director of Public Works