Santa Maria Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project

The City of Santa Maria is advancing a major infrastructure initiative to expand and modernize its existing Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 601 Black Road, California 93458, to meet future demand, ensure long-term operational reliability, and comply with evolving regulatory effluent discharge standards. The project follows a comprehensive 35-year Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan that supersedes the 1993 version and outlines a phased approach, beginning with near-term preparatory actions, followed by Phase 1 improvements, and ultimately Phase 2 enhancements. Expansion will occur on adjacent land to the east and southeast of the current facility, including the construction of six new percolation ponds covering approximately 42 acres. The plant will continue 24/7 operations throughout construction and beyond, with staffing increasing from 14 to 25 full-time employees to support expanded operations and_collections functions. Regulatory compliance is central to the project, requiring adherence to requirements set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, State Water Resources Control Board, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, CUPA, and Cal/OSHA, with additional focus on mitigating impacts to air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, and tribal heritage. The project’s timeline is tied to a public review period from July 21, 2026, to August 19, 2026, with the City of Santa Maria acting as the lead agency and primary contracting authority. No formal solicitation number, contract value, pricing schedule, or procurement-specific evaluation criteria are available in the provided materials, nor are there identified contract clauses, inspection standards, packaging requirements, or certification obligations typically found in federal acquisition documents. Key contacts include Shad S. Springer, Director of Utilities, and Pam Reading, Environmental Planning Principal, who serve as primary points of coordination. The project is classified as a forecast with a NAICS code of 237990, indicating it is an other heavy and civil engineering construction project. There is no indication of federal funding, federal acquisition regulation application, or formal contracting vehicle such as FFP or IDIQ, suggesting this is a locally administered capital improvement initiative governed primarily by state and local environmental and municipal codes rather than federal procurement rules.