Petaluma Awards $34.5 Million Contract for Backup Wastewater Pipeline

PETALUMA CENTER, Sonoma County — The Petaluma City Council approved a major wastewater system investment at its October 19, 2026 meeting: a construction contract of about $34.53 million for a new parallel pipeline serving the municipal treatment system.

The project will install roughly 2.5 miles of 42-inch pipe from the Primary Influent Pump Station to the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility. The existing main dates to the 1970s and lacks a backup, creating a serious vulnerability if maintenance or a pipe failure interrupts flows. The new main is intended to make future repairs possible without taking the entire conveyance system out of service.

The state environmental review describes an alignment that crosses city property, roads, industrial and residential areas and deviates around the Azure Apartment Homes area. Awarding the contract does not mean excavation has begun throughout the corridor. Construction is expected to proceed in stages after required preparations.

What residents should know

Residents can review the official city council meeting record and California environmental filing, and watch for street-specific notices before assuming their route or water service will be affected.

Primary source: Official agency information.

Additional public record: Supporting agency document.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Petaluma Center News grow Help strengthen reporting on Petaluma Center: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Petaluma Center News

Choose how to support Petaluma Center News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Petaluma Center News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Petaluma Center News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.