Pacifica council approves contract for wastewater facilities master plan

Pacifica’s City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 25, 2026, to approve a consultant agreement with Woodard & Curran (with Corolla Engineering subconsultancy) to prepare a combined wastewater facilities master plan. Public Works Director Melissa Tigbal and project staff said the master plan bundles three related capital‑planning efforts — force‑main condition assessment update, pump‑station and plant condition assessments, and sequencing‑batch‑reactor feasibility — to create a coordinated 20‑year roadmap.

Project goals include strengthening infrastructure resilience, improving regulatory compliance, identifying phased capital projects, advancing energy independence and positioning the city for grant funding. The scope includes an analysis of risks that are especially salient for a coastal community — sea‑level rise, tsunami inundation, flood vulnerability and asset condition — and two planning scenarios: business‑as‑usual and a pump‑station relocation scenario for high‑risk sites.

Consultant Greg Sands (Woodard & Curran) told council the firm will begin condition assessments and flow/load updates in early phases and will present alternatives for council consideration later this year. During Q&A the team said energy‑efficiency and potential solar capacity upgrades will be part of the study; staff noted ongoing sewer‑rate study work that may be informed by master‑plan conclusions.

Council adopted the resolution to approve the agreement; the transcript records the vote as passing unanimously. Staff said the completed master plan will return to council for formal adoption.