Cerritos staff say aging water, sewer systems need $81 million over five years; City sets Jan. 26 Prop 218 hearing

City of Cerritos public works officials on Tuesday told the Economic Development Commission that decades-old water and sewer infrastructure will require roughly $81 million of work over the next five years and that the city will hold a Proposition 218 public hearing on the proposed rate changes on Jan. 26, 2026.

Alvin Papa, the city's director of public works, said much of the system was built in the 1960s and 1970s and is at or near the end of its design life. "This is a large increase," Papa said, adding that staff "empathize" with residents who will feel the impact. He and staff described frequent small leaks, brown water complaints tied to rusting steel and iron pipe, and a November category 1 sewer spill that discharged into Coyote Creek.

Staff said an asset assessment identified about $81 million in needs over five years, including well construction and treatment systems, pipe replacement and sewer relining. Papa cited consultant recommendations from Stetson Engineers for a long-term pipe replacement program (roughly one mile per year) and noted costs such as an estimated $3.3…