Some Mare Island sewer repairs to begin in August with federal grant, Vallejo sewer district says

VALLEJO — The Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District received a $1.09 million federal grant to conduct necessary sewer repairs on Mare Island, the district announced last week. 

The money will be used to repair sewer pipes and maintenance holes, the majority of which are over 60 years old and damaged, starting in August. The district said the million dollars will be able to pay for a small repair project, part of many necessary repairs to rehabilitate the island’s sewer system. 

The money for repairs was earmarked by U.S. Rep. John Garamendi during the yearly federal budgeting process, where congressmembers advocate to receive funds for their constituents. The sewer district had been hoping for this money since last year to begin urgent repairs, although it received less than was expected. 

An infrastructure report on the island that the Vallejo Sun obtained in draft form last year showed that the sewage infrastructure on the island is highly degraded.

Non-sewage water is infiltrating the sewage system through its cracks and defects, pushing it to its operational capacity. The additional water entering the system could cause sewage to back up into the streets or be discharged into the bay. 

Future development plans — which would create additional sewage — are severely hampered until the sewer infrastructure is repaired. 

The upcoming repairs will target water infiltrating the sewer system, most likely along the waterfront where it is most prevalent. Reducing infiltration will help reestablish the sewer system’s lost capacity. 

But many more repair projects are necessary. Future sewer repair plans have not been divulged. 

There have been disputes over responsibility for the repairs. A city contract with the Mare Island Company — the island’s primary land owner and developer — makes the company responsible for infrastructure repairs. 

But the company and city officials said last year that a working group between the city, district and Mare Island Company will determine responsibility for essential repair tasks. 

“The City and VFWD continue to engage in discussions regarding the ownership and maintenance of the existing sewer system,” a spokesperson for the Mare Island Company said in a statement.

In a statement, City spokesperson Robert Briseño said that city staff was seeking grant funding to perform further infrastructure assessments and that the Mare Island Company will be developing an infrastructure plan that includes funding mechanisms.

Councilmember Charles Palmares and Vallejo Mayor Andrea Sorce did not respond to requests for comment.

The current condition of the infrastructure prohibits development, while the lack of development, which would generate additional tax revenue, reduces the money available for future repairs. The double impasse has angered some island residents.

Sherianne Grimm, who has lived on the Island for 14 years, said in an email, “as a resident, I expect to see meaningful financial investment from Mare Island Co. into the required infrastructure improvements.”

“Instead it appears they are just banking their land - letting it appreciate and not delivering on promised new development,” Grimm said.

Mare Island residents pay some of the highest property taxes in Vallejo. Development would also potentially alleviate residents’ tax burden by generating additional Island tax revenue. With the lack of development, residents are concerned they will have to foot the bill.

“Mare Island homeowners should not be expected to keep paying higher taxes to pay for infrastructure costs… or carry the financial burden when a private developer delays investment or fails to deliver,” said Grimm.

Mare Island resident Ashley Epes called for a moratorium on the construction of new homes in the Coral Sea neighborhood because of concerns with the sewer.

“There’s just an overall lack of capacity. So why increase this stress by adding an additional 96 homes?” said Epes in an interview. “So I emailed the council about a request for a moratorium.”

Concerning the upcoming repair project, district spokesperson Eddy Castillo Gomez said, “the overall impact of a single project will be minimal.”

The district’s infrastructure report states that around nine miles of pipe may need rehabilitation. Last year, district director of technical services Tracy Rideout said that the cost for rehabilitating one mile of pipe starts at $1.5 million, and can reach up to 10 times that cost when total replacement is needed.

“Underground sewer rehabilitation work is expensive,” said Castillo Gomez. “Mare Island underground sewer rehabilitation is expected to be more costly than similar work due to the site conditions on the Island.”

An item on Tuesday’s City Council meeting calls for discussion regarding “Mare Island’s possible infrastructure options.” 

VFWD said the district will go back to Congress next year to request additional funding for infrastructure repairs.