Recent Scientific Studies Suggest a Second Look at Septic Prohibition

City asks Regional Board to amend ban to ensure targeted and feasible solution

Malibu, CA – To ensure a targeted, feasible and scientifically sound wastewater treatment solution, the City of Malibu filed a formal request asking the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) to reconsider and amend its November 5, 2009 decision to prohibit septic systems in Malibu’s Civic Center over the next five to nine years, Malibu Mayor Sharon Barovsky announced today.

The Regional Board adopted an expansive septic prohibition encompassing nearly 550 residences and businesses in Malibu’s Civic Center, which still awaits approval by the State Water Resources Control Board. In the meantime, according to City officials, the City has evaluated the proposed ban and determined that its broad brush scope makes it technically unfeasible. “The infiltration area is not available for dispersing large quantities of treated wastewater into a small aquifer,” said City Manager Jim Thorsen. “In other words, the current plan leaves the City with a whole lot of treated water and nowhere to put it.” Thorsen explains that, even after maximizing recycling opportunities, complying with the Regional Board’s resolution would require the City to install an ocean outfall or discharge into the Malibu Creek aquifer to disperse the treated wastewater. Either approach is expected to face staunch opposition from environmental groups and others, which would delay or block progress on improving water quality. The City’s request is accompanied by several significant, recent scientific studies, some of which have been published since the Regional Board’s action, that suggest stormwater management is the most effective measure that can be taken to improve water quality in the area and that, to the extent wastewater treatment measures may improve water quality, centralized treatment of a smaller area than currently proposed would produce greater results. The City’s underlying purpose for requesting the Regional Board’s reconsideration is to have science lead the solution to improved water quality. The City submitted three recent studies that support the conclusion that Civic Center septic systems are not a significant source of groundwater contamination or degradation of water quality in the ocean or Malibu Creek. This improvement in water quality is attributable to the City’s strict rules regulating new septic systems and, according to these studies, proves that disinfection works and should be considered as a realistic option for protecting water quality. The studies included an independent UCLA study conducted in 2009, a USGS study conducted in July 2009 and a study of groundwater impacts in the Malibu Civic Center that was commissioned by the Regional Board and conducted in 2009 by Stone Environmental. “In its continuing commitment to improve ocean water quality, the City of Malibu filed this request to work collaboratively with the Regional Board to develop a wastewater treatment solution that is targeted, feasible, achievable and based on sound science,” said Mayor Barovsky. “Reconsidering its earlier vote would give the Regional Board the opportunity to examine the most recent scientific findings and make the best possible determination of the most targeted and feasible methods for achieving the goal we all share – protecting public health.” The community-based wastewater treatment solution would target users with the highest potential impact to groundwater by focusing on the homes and businesses closest to Malibu Creek. It would allow construction of a smaller wastewater treatment plant for which there is adequate percolation area – avoiding the need for an ocean outfall or a discharge into the Malibu Creek aquifer.

It would be completed in three phases:

 Phase 1: Centralized wastewater treatment plant for highest users in Civic Center (treat up to

190,000 gallons per day, completion 2015)

 Phase 2: Centralized wastewater treatment expansion for Serra Retreat, closest homes to

Malibu Creek (treat up to 50,000 gallons per day, completion 2019)

 Disinfection Ordinance: Will require Malibu Colony homes and beachfront restaurants to

upgrade individual treatment systems to include disinfection process (completion 2019)

The City has already allocated $2.9 million to complete the engineering and environmental studies for the community-based wastewater treatment solution. It is also moving aggressively to improve ocean water quality with the construction of Legacy Park and the Paradise Cove Stormwater Treatment Facility. Both are important milestones in the City’s more than $50 million commitment to clean water.

With over 20 years of local experience Malibu Plumbing has achieved the reputation of quality and integrity. It is our desire to provide nothing less than the highest quality service and craftsmanship for your home. We are pleased that our contractors have found both our plumbing and septic bids to be competitive. Our clients know the importance of selecting a plumbing contractor that cannot only provide quality craftsmanship, but also service to their clients long after the job is completed. We are confident you will be pleased with our work and the timely manner in which it will be completed. If you have a leaky pipe or drain clog, wish to install new bathroom fixtures, or need a new plumbing system for your new home Malibu Plumbing can help.

Here is a list of the services we offer:

• Residential – New Construction & Repairs
• Beachfront Properties
• Rooters & Drain Cleaning
• Water Heaters
• Tankless Water Heaters
• Gas, Water & Waste Line Repairs
• Garbage Disposals
• Pipe Locating
• Septic Inspections & Certifications
• Factory certified PE Gas & Aquapex Water Piping installers

We are currently servicing the following areas:

Malibu, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Agoura, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Calabasas, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Conejo Valley

We welcome your inquiries and solicit an opportunity to bid on any of your current or future projects. For a full list of services please click on the services link above.