Santa Paula lays out wastewater and water CIP; SRF loan allocation and AWTF timeline to return for budget approval

Consultants and water staff told the Santa Paula council about a set of wastewater and water capital projects drawn from the city's recently updated wastewater master plan and an Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) project that will require State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan allocations and further council action.

"If you guys recall, last year in April, we approved the wastewater master plan update. Many of these projects are coming straight from that update," said Becca Bagelski, a consultant with MKN and Associates, who presented the wastewater CIP list and priorities. She said some projects were pulled forward for maintenance reasons while others were pushed back to balance funding.

Becca said the AWTF/SRF loan funding "is there, but we still need the budget allocation," and staff plans to return with an SRF budget request later in the year so auditors can document council approval. Staff described a tentative timeline that would put the AWTF construction bid in September, construction starting January 2026 and the facility operational by 2028; a finance staff member said SRF loan repayment begins either six months or one year after project completion.

Why it matters: the AWTF and associated conveyance work are large, multi‑year investments that affect wastewater treatment operations, testing and startup phases and the timing of other projects at the water reclamation facility (WRF).

Other project details included storm‑drain and Foothill‑Cameron drainage improvements that staff said stem partly from off‑site drainage from orchard lands uphill and involve County of Ventura jurisdictional issues. Staff noted the budget presentation separated design estimates from construction and that some line items listed across two fiscal years reflected design versus construction estimates.

On storm‑repair reimbursements, water staff said they had pursued FEMA funding for storm‑related repairs; the finance office asked for final signatures and a potential FEMA check is pending. Water staff also reviewed an ongoing meter‑replacement program: staff said the system contains about 8,400 meters, approximately 7,000 of which still need replacement, and the program replaces roughly 500–600 meters per year. Frank (name used in the meeting), water superintendent, said a typical 1‑inch meter costs about $400 and takes roughly one staff hour under normal conditions.

The water presentation also noted SCADA communications upgrades at remote pump and tank sites to reduce days operating in manual and a completed 900‑linear‑foot fence installation at a primary reservoir with electrical infrastructure prepared to accept cameras.

Next steps: staff will return with a formal SRF budget allocation request and continued CIP sequencing to avoid conflicting work at the WRF and on water and sewer mains.