Malibu School Septic Woes Are Costly

• Repairs Necessary Before Classes Start

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN

The public had an opportunity to learn more about the extent of septic system issues affecting Malibu area schools, when the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District board of education, at its Aug. 20 meeting, voted on an emergency resolution that authorizes repair of the systems.
Investigations into the onsite wastewater treatment system at Point Dume Elementary School and Malibu High School that have been part of the Measure BB improvement plans have revealed serious issues that require immediate attention, according to a staff report.
The situation is so serious that the work has to be completed by the start of classes on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
“Currently, the district is in the programming and design phases of the Measure BB bond program. The resolution states, “District consultants have found that two of the septic systems are in need of major repair and immediate action to correct unsafe conditions.”
According to the resolution, the situation at both locations is so serious that it constitutes an emergency condition. The resolution circumvents the usual bidding process and authorizes immediate repairs “to permit the continuance of existing school classes, or to avoid danger to life and property.”
According to district staff, investigations have revealed that the OWTS at Pt. Dume Elementary School is “inoperable, almost to the point of being filled to capacity, causing a potential overflow problem. In addition, the tank ceiling is collapsing.” At MHS, the ceiling of a tank in a septic system located under the basketball courts is also collapsing.
According to the staff report, “The septic tanks for system number 6 at the MHS will be replaced; seepage pit maintenance for Malibu High School and Cabrillo will be completed both on Deferred Maintenance funds.” The cost for this work is estimated to be $350,000.
The repairs at Point Dume are estimated to require a construction budget of $400,000.
Webster Elementary, which recently received a notice of violation from the Los Angeles County Regional Water Quality Board earlier this year, also requires an extensive overhaul to its aging OWTS infrastructure that is estimated to cost $580,000.
The board also voted on a resolution for emergency repairs to MHS, following in the wake of two costly incidents that occurred over the summer.
The first was a fire in one of the school’s science labs, allegedly caused by a faulty aquarium tank pump. The fire was limited to the lab, but smoke reportedly damaged five adjacent rooms. Damage was estimated at $600,000.
In the second incident, a broken air conditioning coil reportedly caused $70,000 in flood damage to the high school band room and instrument storage area.
According to staff, the cost of repairs will be covered by the district’s insurance in both incidents. The resolution was required to expedite the repairs.