Madera begins $1.9M upgrade to a key wastewater facility that serves a third of the city

Madera has launched a $1.9 million upgrade to one of its most heavily used wastewater facilities, a project city officials say is part of a long-term effort to modernize core infrastructure and maintain dependable service for residents and businesses.

The Fairgrounds Lift Station, located south of Cleveland Avenue near the Madera Fairgrounds, moves about 30 percent of the city’s sewer flows. Much of the existing equipment dates back several decades, and the planned improvements will replace components that are now outdated and difficult to service.

“This site has been a workhorse for nearly 50 years,” City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez said. “If we want systems that operate reliably around the clock, we have to update them at the right moment. This is that moment.”

The City Council approved the project in December 2024. Mechanical issues at the station this October prompted staff to install a temporary bypass system as a precaution until the contractor, Telstar Instruments, could begin the permanent upgrades. City officials say the temporary system ensured continuous service and allowed construction to proceed without interruption.

Current work includes installing new pumps, modern electrical controls, wet well rehabilitation, a standby generator, and safety improvements. The upgrade shifts the older in-ground pumping system to an above-ground configuration, making routine servicing faster and safer for field crews.

Strengthening wastewater infrastructure across the city

The lift station project is part of a broader series of improvements designed to stabilize aging systems and support future growth. Construction continues at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of a $10.3 million upgrade intended to improve reliability and increase treatment capacity. The plant processes roughly five million gallons of wastewater daily.

These efforts follow the rehabilitation of nearly three and a half miles of the Avenue 13 and Pecan trunk main, the city’s largest sewer pipeline, as well as a similar cured-in-place lining project on Clinton Avenue.

Mayor Cece Gallegos said the city is taking a proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance.

“Some of our facilities have served the community for generations,” Gallegos said. “Staying ahead of maintenance is how we avoid surprises and keep neighborhoods protected. These upgrades reflect our commitment to keeping systems stable for years to come.”

Rodriguez emphasized that while projects like this often operate out of public view, they play an essential role in daily life.

“These aren’t flashy projects, but they are critical,” he said. “When we do them right and on time, residents shouldn’t ever have to think about what’s happening underground. That’s the goal.”