Via Lucero Wastewater Force Main Replacement Project

The City of Santa Barbara is investing in our community’s underground infrastructure. Starting in spring 2026, the Via Lucero Wastewater Force Main will be installed to ensure reliable sewer service and protect our local environment for decades to come.

This project involves installing a new sewer pipeline between the Via Lucero Lift Station and the intersection of State Street and Hope Avenue. The pipeline will replace an existing sewer pipeline located in a narrow easement that is difficult to access and maintain. The City is moving from a single, 1950s-era cast iron pipe to a modern dual-pipe system made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Additionally, aging gravity sewer mains will be replaced as well as the manholes to the east of the new dual-pipe system along Hope Avenue and State Street. 

Benefits to the community include:

•    Improved Reliability: The current 1950s-era cast iron pipe is approaching the end of its useful service life and is prone to corrosion. Replacing cast iron with modern, corrosion-resistant HDPE, significantly reduces the risk of pipe breaks and leaks, protecting both public health and our local environment.

•    Increased Capacity: By upgrading the downstream gravity sewer mains at Hope Avenue and State Street, the system will be better equipped to handle peak flows. This ensures the network can manage current wastewater demands and accommodate the community’s future needs without the risk of system backups. 

•    Improved Functionality: The installation of a new metering vault with improved access gives wastewater operators and engineers better "eyes" on the system. These tools allow for real-time monitoring of flow rates and provide easier access for essential cleaning and routine inspections, helping the system to operate at peak efficiency. 

•    Enhanced Operational Flexibility: The dual-pipe system (one active and one backup) represents a significant improvement for operations and maintenance. It allows the City to divert flow from one pipe to the other quickly and efficiently. This means the City can perform repairs or inspections on one line while the other remains fully operational—eliminating service disruptions and the need for costly emergency bypass pumping. 
 

Most sewer lines are single pipes. This project will install two parallel pipes (dual 8-inch diameter HDPE) instead of one:

•    Active Main: One pipe handles the daily flow.
•    Backup: The second pipe sits ready for immediate use. This "redundancy" allows City crews to perform maintenance or repairs on one line without shutting down the system or risking a spill.

The current force main pipe was installed in 1959. Because it is a "force main" (a pipe that carries pressurized sewage), any leak or break could cause a significant spill. By installing a dual-pipe system, the City creates redundancy. If one pipe needs maintenance, the other stays in service, preventing system failures and protecting our local creeks and groundwater.
 

The current cast iron pipe is in a narrow easement that is difficult to access, and the pipe has reached the end of its useful service life. Because this is a pressurized system, a pipe failure could lead to a spill or "Sanitary Sewer Overflow." This upgrade proactively prevents damage to our local environment and eliminates the need for emergency, high-cost repairs.

The Project includes the Via Lucero, Hope Avenue, and Upper State Street neighborhoods. The boundaries are:

•    East to West: From Hope Avenue over to Bodega Lane
•    North to South: From Via Lucero down to State Street

The map below outlines the described Project location:

Construction of the Project is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and should be completed by February 2027.

The project construction cost is approximately $4.8 million and is funded entirely by the City’s Wastewater Fund. The Fund is supported by monthly sewer service fees, meaning those who use the system are investing in its long-term reliability. 

The following information is tentative and subject to change as construction begins and progresses. While we work to minimize disruptions, residents and businesses in the immediate area should expect the following:

•    Traffic & Parking: Temporary lane closures and "No Parking" zones will be in effect during short periods along Via Lucero and Hope Avenue.
•    Noise: Construction will involve excavation and pipe installation, typically during standard daytime working hours.
•    Access: Driveway access will be maintained, though there may be short delays as equipment moves through the area.
•    Service Continuity: Your sewer service will not be interrupted. We keep the existing system running while the new pipes are installed.