Stanislaus Elementary School Septic to Sewer Project

The Stanislaus Elementary School Septic to Sewer Project is a civil infrastructure initiative by the City of Modesto to replace an outdated on-site septic system serving approximately 390 students and staff with a new 4,100-linear-foot sanitary sewer main connected to the city’s existing wastewater network. The alignment begins at the school located at 1931 Kiernan Avenue, extends easterly 1,600 feet along the north side of the Caltrans right-of-way for State Route 219 within the Kiernan Avenue bike lane, then turns southerly 2,700 feet along the centerline of Carver Road to terminate at Bangs Avenue, where it interconnects with the city’s main sewer line. Construction is scheduled to occur between 2026 and 2027, with an expected duration of about 300 calendar days and a daily progress rate of approximately 100 feet of pipeline. The project includes the installation of ten new manholes and the permanent decommissioning of the existing septic infrastructure, ensuring a reliable, long-term wastewater solution with a design lifespan exceeding fifty years. The project qualifies for a statutory exemption under California’s Public Resources Code Section 21080.48, as amended by Senate Bill 131 (2025), which streamlines approval for small, disadvantaged water and sewer systems serving communities with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged populations—Stanislaus Elementary School reports 61% economically disadvantaged students, supporting this classification. As such, the project is exempt from full CEQA environmental review, though a certified exemption finding and SWRCB Environmental Package must be submitted to comply with statutory requirements. Prevailing wage laws and skilled labor mandates apply, requiring at least 50% journey-level workers on-site and adherence to state labor standards. Work will proceed exclusively within public rights-of-way, coordinated with Caltrans for encroachment compliance, and will utilize open trenching and jack-and-bore techniques. The City of Modesto’s Utilities Department, led by Senior Civil Engineer Jim Alves, serves as the primary point of contact and likely the overseeing entity for inspection and acceptance, which will occur at the connection point on Bangs Avenue. Though the project is funded through a State Water Resources Control Board grant and aligned with the City’s Wastewater Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, no formal contract value, solicitation number, pricing details, award basis, or detailed