CMSD Wastewater Rate Study Request for Proposals

Location:	California
Posted:	Aug 12, 2026
Due:	Sep 28, 2026
Agency:	Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Costa Mesa Sanitary District

For

Wastewater Rate Study

Release Date: August 12, 2026

Proposals Due: September 28, 2026

Deliver to:

Costa Mesa Sanitary District

290 Paularino Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(949) 645-8400

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INTRODUCTION

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (hereinafter referred to as “The District”) is soliciting proposals from

qualified professional consulting firms to prepare a wastewater rate study that describes the

justification and calculations for annual wastewater charges. This Request for Proposal (RFP) outlines

the Scope of Work (SOW), project requirements, and conditions for award.

BACKGROUND

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) is an independent special district that was formed in 1944

under the Sanitary District Act of 1923. It is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors

that appoints a general managerto supervise the day-to-day operations of the organization. The

District’s boundaries encompass all of the City of Costa Mesa, portions of Newport Beach, and

unincorporated Orange County; serving a population of approximately 116,700 and serving close to

4,000 businesses.

Wastewater is conveyed to a treatment plant located in the City of Fountain Valley (owned and

operated by the Orange County Sanitation District) via 224 miles of collection system and 20 lift

stations. CMSD total daily dry weather flow is typically between 8 and 10 million gallons per day,

depending on annual rainfall.

The current wastewater rate structure consists of flat rates for residential customers (single

family and multi-family dwellings) and rates on an annual charge per 1,000 square foot basis for

commercial and industrial customers. Below are the current annual wastewater rates for CMSD.

Sewer Rate

Single family residence

Multi-family residence

Commercial – Ave Strength

Commercial – High Strength

Industrial

Mobile Home

ADU

Annual Rate

$118.43

$89.89

$51.63

$57.49

$132.96

$83.48

$43.54

With this rate study, CMSD would like to review current rates and to develop rates that will fully

fund capital improvement projects and maintenance activities over the next five-year rate period.

CMSD’s wastewater fund balance, which pays for capital projects, is over $7 million. Wastewater

rates are collected on the property tax bill as special assessments.

The last wastewater rate study was conducted in 2021/22 fiscal year. The final report can be

found on the District’s website.

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The rates must comply with Proposition 13 (Cal. Constit. Art. XIIID) and must meet the criteria of

that law and other laws that apply to the setting of wastewater rates. The rates will also be used

to fund the capacity assurance element of the District’s Sewer System Management Plan.

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SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. Evaluate current rate structure and assess appropriateness: Review potential alternatives

including commodity-based rate or other mechanisms for customers that encourage

water conservation.

2. Identify any start up, on-going, administrative fees, and/or other sewer-related District

costs required for implementing an updated 5-year rate structure.

3. Recommend rates over the next five year to 10-year period to fund capital improvement

program and projects described in the District Master Plan (dated 2022), as well as on-

going maintenance activities, staffing, vehicle needs, among other agency costs. Based on

providing about 1 to 1.5% sewer system renewals each year, it is estimated that the

District requires about $3.0 to $3.5 Mill for the annual CIP per year.

4. Identify and recommend replacement cost(s) and interval(s) for the District Assets based

on best practices for public sewer agencies. The work product should also be a capital

outlay recommendation based on replacing the district sewers, pump stations and assets

at the end of useful life and the annual funding to sustain the long-term replacement. The

goal of this task is to understand if the District is collecting sufficient funds over the asset

life for a replacement.

5. Conduct a rate comparison with other Orange County wastewater agencies (including

special districts and cities) that will include current and future CMSD rates.

6. Prepare a user-friendly computer or spreadsheet-based rate model for CMSD use. The

model should be capable of being updated with actual costs for future annual review of

wastewater rates.

7. Prepare two draft reports (at 60% and 90%)

8. Present 90% draft report and recommendations at one (1) Citizens Advisory Committee

(CAC) meeting and at one (1) Board Study Session.

9. Prepare a final report for presentation at one Board of Directors meeting.

10. Assume four District reviews and four edits by the consultant: one for the initial staff

review of the 90% draft and one each after the CAC, Board Study Session, and Board

Meeting. Please note that the 60% draft is meant to provide progress and confirm that

work direction is progressing in the manner acceptable to the District.

11. Conduct one kick-off meeting; a second meeting at the 60% completion to discuss

preliminary results, discuss issues, and confirm work direction; and a third meeting to

present the 90% product and discuss any recommendations.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Notice Inviting Bids/Request For Proposal	Bid Status	Bid Tabulation	Awardee
CMSD Wastewater Rate Study Request for Proposals - Released 08/12/2026 Exhibit A - Sample Agreement Exhibit B - Insurance	Status: Open Due: September 28, 2026 by 1:00 p.m.

CMSD Wastewater Rate Study Request for Proposals - Released 08/12/2026 Exhibit A - Sample Agreement Exhibit B - Insurance

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See also