Calistoga’s historic Lincoln Avenue commercial zone exudes a Gold Rush-era ambience that’s an irresistible draw for tourists, but old age also has a dark side that lurks beneath the buildings and the streets. Deteriorating sewer lines have caused headaches for landlords, tenants and city officials off and on over the years, and there are signs that the situation may be worsening.

Several sewer system problems along Lincoln have stemmed from failing laterals, the lines that run from the commercial buildings out into the street where they hook up with the city’s sewer mains.  When the laterals fail, the effect on business can be devastating.

“I had to give up my dream,” says Christy Fitzpatrick, who was forced to relinquish her three-year lease, abandon her business plan and move last year to a new location after a series of sewer line failures beneath the former 49 Minute Photo store building on Lincoln Avenue, next door to Calistoga Realty.

Fitzpatrick had visions of her business evolving into what she had planned to call “Exposures,” a combination photo gallery and wine bar, but instead she relocated across the street in one of the railroad cars next to the train depot where she runs Kaliko’s, a copying and photo shop. She figures she lost $20,000 in out-of-pocket money, plus much more in potential business income. Her business numbers — both customers and revenue — are now about half of what they were when her business fronted the town’s main street.

Sewer laterals in Calistoga are the responsibility of the property owners — a common municipal practice. But when the lines fail, city officials must spring into action and oversee the permit and repair process. They, too, feel the headaches.

“These are old, old buildings with old sewer lines,” laments Brad Cannon, the city’s building inspector. “They’re old and a lot of them have had different tenants moving in and out over the years. These are issues that we will have to continue working with.”

A more recent sewer problem has shut down the Calistoga Creamery & Bakery, 1353 Lincoln Ave. The sewer lateral serving the business “collapsed,”  according to Cannon, and although it was repaired, the business hasn’t reopened. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rex Albright said he was aware of “a sewer issue” at the bakery but he didn’t know why the owner, Marlene Paulson, hadn’t reopened the business. The Weekly Calistogan was unable to contact Paulson.

Margaret Law, owner of Chateau St. Shirts, next door to Paulson’s place, is all too familiar with Lincoln Avenue’s sewer problems. A few years ago she had to close her business for six weeks at the height of the tourist season when the sewer lateral serving her place and two other businesses broke down.

“I was the unfortunate one because the main line for all three businesses ran down the middle of my store,” she said. “It was the luck of the draw.” The landlord replaced the entire lateral system.

Repairs for other businesses may be in the works. Cannon said he expected another landlord along Lincoln Avenue to soon seek a permit to replace a lateral.

It should come as no surprise that Lincoln Avenue is experiencing sewer lateral failures, given that much of the infrastructure is aging and, by today’s standards, was poorly constructed. The deteriorating state of the laterals mirrors the general condition of the city’s main lines, many of which are 80-year-old clay pipes with tar paper sealing the joints. Many have been damaged by tree roots, which are drawn to the water in the lines.

The city’s own sewer infrastructure is an ongoing problem that was highlighted a year ago in a dismal report to the city council. The city has a relatively new, $14 million wastewater treatment plant, but officials acknowledge that many of the pipelines that feed the system are worn out.

Money is the issue standing in the way of replacing city sewers, just as it is an issue when laterals break down and landlords and tenants must address the expense of repairs and the loss of business resulting from lengthy shutdowns. Cannon says the city recognizes the urgency that’s involved when the lines fail, and tries to expedite the permit and repair process.

“We do everything we can to help from the city’s standpoint,” he says. “We bend over backwards.”

The lateral system serving the former 49 Minute Photo store and adjacent businesses was replaced, and now the photo store building itself is closed for renovation. Meanwhile, the Calistoga Creamery & Bakery remains dark, with no sign of activity. But there was a sign in the window: “The bakery and creamery will be closed indefinitely until further notice. We will be doing repairs and upgrades.”

A sign, we hope, that doesn’t portend a troubled future for Calistoga’s dark, dismal and aging underground sewer system.

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