Solvang Secures $1 Million Federal Grant to Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Solvang has received $1 million in federal funding towards the upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal announced on November 18, 2025. 

The funding is intended to modernize outdated infrastructure and ensure long-term access to clean, reliable water for residents. The funds were secured through the Community Project Funding (CPF) program, first launched in 2022. 

The allocation is part of federally authorized spending legislation signed into law and represents a portion of the city’s $18 million Phase 2 improvement plan for the wastewater treatment plant. The construction is expected to begin in 2027 and conclude by 2029, according to the Santa Maria Times. 

Noting the importance of the investment for the region, Carbajal stated that “by modernizing Solvang’s wastewater treatment plant, we’re not only upgrading critical infrastructure but also ensuring clean water, safe community spaces, and stronger emergency preparedness for generations to come.”

According to a December 2022 report from the City of Solvang, structural and building upgrades will be completed during the first of two phases, along with the installation of recycled water systems. Under the second phase, additional site enhancements will include the construction of recycled-water facilities.

A third and final phase would expand the project to include pumping infrastructure and full-scale recycled water distribution.

Solvang’s Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Solvang’s wastewater treatment plant operates under a Waste Discharge Permit (WDP) issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The plant uses a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) system with a design capacity of 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day, according to the December 2022 report. 

The treatment plant serves both Solvang residents and the neighboring Santa Ynez community. Under contract, the Santa Ynez Community Services District (SYCSD) sends wastewater to the Solvang plant for treatment.

According to the wastewater division, the plant is operated by a team of six city employees. These include one wastewater division supervisor, four wastewater treatment plant operators, and a collection system operator.

The treatment plant is situated on a 17.28-acre facility, originally built in 1963, with subsequent upgrades in 1975, 1983, and 1997. 

The project aims to increase the treatment plant’s capacity, ensure nitrogen removal, and address current deficiencies in the wastewater treatment plant by replacing outdated components. Additionally, these upgrades will help increase the plant’s recycled water production, according to the report.