Malibu must replace septic tanks with sewage lines
Malibu must replace septic tanks with sewage lines
 


MALIBU -- The city's home and business septic tanks will soon be prohibited and the city will be required to install its first central sewage system and treatment facility after State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to ratify a recommendation by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The 5-0 vote in Sacramento was applauded by environmental activists and surfers who contended that Malibu had for too long delayed solving the problem of sewage from faulty septic tanks leaking into Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach.

Heal the Bay President Mark Gold said the move was long overdue. "We encourage Malibu to move forward with a clean water solution rather than pursuing the confrontational path of litigation. The state's action provides a future of "A" grades at Surfrider Beach."

Last November, the L.A. regional water board proposed a septic ban for about 550 businesses and residences in central and eastern Malibu.

Malibu officials had said the proposed zone was so large that the city could not devise a system capable of handling all of the waste water that would be produced.

The city presented a modified plan to the state board covering fewer homes and businesses. But in the end, the state water board backed the regional panel's proposal.

Malibu has 9 years to complete the central sewage system and treatment facility project.

The city incorporated in 1991 specifically to stop construction of a county sewer line because residents feared it would lead to massive development.