Water, Wastewater, and Sewer System Master Plan updates

🚰 Utility Infrastructure Master Plan Update: Strengthening Upland’s Water, Sewer & Recycled Systems

The Public Works Committee recently received a comprehensive update on three major infrastructure plans that guide the future of Upland’s utility systems: the Water and Recycled Water Master Plan, Wastewater Collection System Master Plan, and Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). These updates ensure we are responsibly planning for growth, complying with new regulations, and protecting the long-term integrity of our critical infrastructure.

💧 Water & Recycled Water Systems Master Plan

This plan evaluates the performance, reliability, and condition of Upland’s drinking water and recycled water systems. It included field testing, hydrant flow testing, and GIS-based hydraulic modeling to assess how our system performs today and what investments are needed tomorrow.

Key Findings:

• No major capacity issues, but several neighborhoods have fire flow deficiencies due to old or undersized water mains.

• Water quality monitoring flagged:

  • Well 3 and Well 8 with nitrate levels above MCLs (maximum contaminant levels)

  • Well 7 with PCE contamination

  • These wells will need blending or treatment before their water can be distributed.

• Infrastructure Condition:

  • Aged pipes were evaluated using a 60-year service life standard.

  • Tank assessments were completed with Harper & Associates.

  • Pump station efficiency was tested in partnership with SCE.

• Recycled Water:

  • Usage is stable at ~700 acre-feet/year.

  • No major issues, but staff is exploring options to expand monitoring and explore targeted recycled water expansion.

🚽 Wastewater Collection System Master Plan

This plan evaluates the sewer pipeline network—its ability to handle current and future flows, and where vulnerabilities might exist.

Key Findings:

• A new hydraulic model was built from GIS data, flow monitoring, and field records.

• The system performs within acceptable capacity under wet-weather conditions.

• Two localized surcharging areas were found and will be addressed through targeted capital projects.

• Pipes were assessed using a 100-year service life benchmark, and a phased replacement strategy is under development.

• Further study is recommended to optimize this plan for cost efficiency.

Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)

This is Upland’s first full SSMP update under the new 2022 State Water Board General Order (Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ), which greatly expands oversight, maintenance, and reporting requirements for cities statewide.

Key Updates:

• Enhanced Maintenance Strategies:

  • Increased CCTV inspections

  • More focused flushing programs

  • A stronger Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control plan

• SSO Prevention:

  • Focus on identifying and tracking Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and high-risk segments

  • Benchmarking against regional performance data

• Staffing & Organizational Updates:

  • Reflects new city org structure

  • Incorporates recent regional partnerships and emergency response protocols

• Regulatory Deadline:

  • SSMP will be presented to the City Council on July 28, 2025

  • Submitted to the State Water Board by August 2, 2025

What’s Next?

These master plan updates lay the foundation for our Capital Improvement Program (CIP)—ensuring we tackle the most urgent infrastructure needs first, while planning responsibly for future growth and climate demands.

• Funding strategies (grants, utility rates, or bond financing) will be explored through an upcoming Utility Rate Study.

• Staffing adjustments may be needed to support long-term system maintenance and CIP delivery.

These updates represent the kind of data-driven, long-range planning that protects ratepayer dollars, maintains service reliability, and keeps our infrastructure strong for decades to come.

— Councilmember James Breitling
District 2