GUSTINE — The Gustine City Council on Tuesday will hear a presentation on a newly updated Sewer Master Plan, a document outlining how the city’s aging sewer system must be repaired and expanded as the community grows toward full buildout.
The plan, prepared by City Engineer Mario Gouveia and Gouveia Engineering, updates the city’s 2003 sewer master plan and incorporates the 2025 zoning map, the 2024–2032 housing element and current annexation areas. According to the report, Gustine’s sanitary sewer service area is expected to more than double — from 870 acres today to roughly 1,825 acres — with population increasing from 6,138 residents to an estimated 11,616.
The plan identifies several deficiencies in the existing system, including the need to replace 80 brick manholes and nearly 43,000 feet of vitrified clay pipe. Three locations currently experience surcharging during peak flows and require upgrades: North Avenue, Laurel Avenue and the Linden Sewer Pump Station.
To meet future demand, the plan outlines conceptual routing for new sewer infrastructure and recommends upsizing several key sewer mains. Proposed upgrades include increasing pipe sizes along Meredith and Grove avenues and expanding industrial‑area mains to accommodate higher flows. The middle school pump station would also need improvements.
Altogether, the plan recommends about $33 million in capital projects, with roughly $27.7 million tied to existing users and $5.3 million attributed to future development. While adopting the plan carries no immediate fiscal impact, city staff said it will guide future rate studies, capital planning and applications for state and federal funding. Gustine’s designation as a disadvantaged community strengthens its eligibility for outside funding sources.
No formal public outreach has been conducted yet. City officials said community engagement will occur as individual projects move forward.
Staff is recommending that the council receive the presentation, offer comments and consider approving a resolution adopting the updated Sewer Master Plan for August 2026.
