City Council members gathered on August 19, 2025, to discuss critical updates to Red Bluff's water and sewer infrastructure, highlighting the need for a comprehensive master plan to guide future growth and improvements.

Paul Reuther, a civil engineer from PACE Engineering, presented findings from the updated facility plans, which are the first significant revisions since the early 2000s. The plans aim to address the city's evolving needs, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 0.975% per year, as outlined in the recently adopted general plan. This growth projection anticipates nearly 983 new household equivalents over the next two decades.

Reuther emphasized the importance of these plans as a roadmap for capital improvements, stating, "The projects in this plan provide us with a roadmap for future planning." He noted that while the city has made substantial upgrades to its water and sewer systems since the last master plan, including the addition of storage tanks and lift stations, challenges remain, particularly with infiltration and inflow issues in the sewer system.

The presentation revealed that Red Bluff's water demands have decreased by 22% since 2002, largely due to the implementation of water meters and changes in consumer behavior following recent droughts. However, the sewer system still faces significant challenges, with infiltration inflow contributing to excessive flow rates that complicate wastewater management.

Looking ahead, the master plan outlines necessary improvements, including the potential addition of lift stations to serve areas currently lacking infrastructure. Reuther also highlighted the need for expanded filtration capacity at the wastewater treatment plant to accommodate future growth.

The council's discussions underscored the importance of proactive planning to ensure that Red Bluff's infrastructure can support its anticipated growth while maintaining service quality. As the city moves forward, these plans will play a crucial role in guiding development and investment in essential services.