26-04-2025
City sewer tour hopes to clear the air on sewer rate increase
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The sewage plant tour started with a stark reminder: That the projected cost for the most attractive option sits at half a billion dollars.
Right now, it's either replace the plant or replace all the parts in the plant.
Bakersfield City Manager, Christian Clegg, said, 'Our intent was to raise awareness with our community we have a serious issue that we have to address, and we still have to address it.'
The proposed sewer rate jumps up to 300% going from $239 a year to $950.
But, the city cleared the air with a Friday morning media tour at sewage plant two off East Planz Road.
WWI veteran's Purple Heart Award presented to family in Kern County
Clegg said the city stalled on the plan after getting a ton of blowback from angry residents.
'We could've done better as a city,' said Clegg. 'We could've done better at more public outreach.'
Sewage Plant two was built nearly 70 years ago, but Clegg says it was only built to last 30 years.
Wastewater manager, Evette Roldan, said, 'If we just had to serve the existing houses now. Okay, let's replace everything like for like maybe, $150 to $200 million.'
Roldan said the plant needs new pumps, piping, and plastic media for the wastewater filtration system.
The process starts after you flush. Then, the sewage is pumped to the grit chamber to separate the liquids and solids.
But, the super scooper called, the 'clam shell' needs to be replaced. Roldan said, 'The electrical is a concern. The track itself that it's on is a concern.'
The wastewater is then sent to the clarifyer, and from the clarifyer to the trickling filter, where many of the sprayers aren't working. 'My biggest concern is the media itself. It is passed it's useful life,' said Roldan.
Never miss a story: Make your homepage
Roldan wants to move to new tech called a MBR (membrane bio reactor) versus the trickling system as the plant faces tough state environmental regulations.
Roldan says crews conducted two emergency repairs in her decade at the plant. One in 2018, and one in 2022.
The last was an emergency fix to a 60 inch pipe missing 20 feet of the housing from corrosion. 'We really do need to plan for the next 30 plus years. Not just the next five, the next ten,' said Roldan.
The city is still discussing options for how to conduct the sewer rate increase, but in six months time your sewer bill will go up.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
