Santa Ana advances storm drain contracts and 3-mile sewer trunk rehabilitation

Santa Ana advances storm drain contracts and 3-mile sewer trunk rehabilitationThe California city has approved dual contracts for storm drain maintenance while the Orange County Sanitation District begins construction on a regional pipeline bypass system.

The City Council approved agreements with Ocean Blue Environmental Services and United Storm Water for storm drain maintenance, totaling up to $5.5 million over five years.

Construction has started on the 3-mile Santa Ana sewer trunk rehabilitation project, requiring a temporary bypass system along Alton Avenue.

Water and sewer enterprise funds will account for 17% of the city's proposed $786.2 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

The City of Santa Ana is pushing forward with critical wastewater and stormwater infrastructure updates, marked by the commencement of a major regional pipeline project and the approval of multi-year maintenance contracts. During a June 2 meeting, the Mayor Pro Tem announced that construction has officially started on the Orange County Sanitation District's Santa Ana sewer trunk rehabilitation project. The project will rehabilitate three miles of regional pipeline. The first phase of construction is taking place on Alton Avenue between Fairview Street and Raight Street, where crews are installing a temporary bypass system to ensure continuous sewer service while the pipeline rehabilitation takes place. In addition to the wastewater pipeline project, the City Council unanimously approved two major contracts for stormwater infrastructure upkeep as part of its consent calendar. Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc. and United Storm Water, Inc. were each awarded agreements to provide spill response, hazardous waste disposal, and storm drain facility maintenance services. Each contract is set at an annual amount not to exceed $550,000 for an initial one-year term, with provisions for four one-year extensions. If fully extended, the combined maximum value of the two contracts will reach $5.5 million over five years. These infrastructure investments come as the city finalizes its financial planning for the upcoming year. During a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, Finance and Management Services Executive Director Alex Trinidad noted that enterprise funds—which primarily include the city's water and sewer operations—will account for 17% of Santa Ana's proposed $786.2 million citywide budget.