City of Malibu Proposes Eleventh Hour Alternate Wastewater Treatment Plan

• Would Cost $400-$500 a Month—Same as Revised Lower Cost Estimates for RWQCB Zone Proposal

BY ANNE SOBLE

In an effort to forestall imposition of a Regional Water Quality Control Board prohibition on future septic tank use and stringent curbs on existing systems at its hearing this week, the City of Malibu has come up with a last-minute alternative that it hopes will counter the arguments of surfing and environmental organizations and buy the municipality a reprieve, if not time.
The city proposal plan is described as a more decentralized approach that wold be less costly to construct, but would cost the same for upkeep and have comparable monthly costs for property owners as the larger RWQCB proposal.
However, the city construction proposal, which could cost half of the price of the larger project, would only cover one-fourth of the residences and little more than half of the business parcels that the larger project would encompass. See tables below for city’s own comparative numbers.
Still unanswered is how the other parcels deemed in need of improved wastewater management by the water quality panel might be included, as well as year-round aspects of treated effluent disposition.
The city initiated a public relations blitz for the plan on Tuesday in the hope that the publicity would balance the attention being generated by Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay and other organizations actively lobbying the regional board to implement the staff push for the ban and curbs.
Announcing the package, Mayor Andy Stern said, “The City of Malibu is committed to working collaboratively with the regional board, local property owners and all stakeholders to find an achievable and effective solution. A more targeted wastewater treatment facility will accomplish the goals we all share of protecting public health and improving ocean water quality while also ensuring prudent use of taxpayer funds.”
The RWQCB calls for a consolidated project—a single wastewater treatment facility capable of treating 600,000 gallons per day. The city contends that the available percolation area may not be sufficient to disperse the large quantity of treated wastewater that plan requires.
The city’s alternative plan proposes a smaller wastewater treatment facility that would handle up to 240,000 gallons per day and be constructed in phases: Phase 1 for the commercial properties in the Civic Center area; and Phase 2 for the residential areas in Serra Retreat. The plan also calls for disinfection systems at three key beach zones.
In Phase I, a wastewater treatment system (capable of treating 190,000 gallons per day) would be constructed “for the central core of the Civic Center area where the commercial properties and the highest potential users of a new wastewater treatment system are located. These properties also are in close proximity to Malibu Creek.”
In Phase II, the system would be expanded (adding 50,000 gallons per day) to take in “Serra Retreat, where residential properties have a potential to impact water quality in Malibu Creek.”
Malibu Colony homes and two commercial zones along the east side of Malibu Creek and adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway would be required by city ordinance to “install disinfection treatment to their existing septic systems.” The city currently requires property owners adding new sinks, toilets, showers, etc. to add disinfection. City data states approximately 10 to 20 percent of Malibu Colony homes already have advanced treatment systems that include disinfection.
Under the city’s proposed implementation schedule, Phase I of the alternate plan would be completed and operating by April 2015 and Phase II would be operating by 2018. All disinfection systems would have to be installed and operating by 2018.
Stern said, “The city’s proposal will effectively address water quality concerns, and it includes a reasonable implementation schedule that will meet the goals set by the regional board and the city, We believe this framework establishes an achievable solution and we look forward to presenting our plan to the regional board and stakeholders on Nov. 5.”
In the course of developing its alternate proposal, the city announcement stated it “also continued to refine and update its conceptual cost estimates of the larger wastewater treatment system proposed by the regional board, as well as the city’s new plan. By separating out the costs for commercial properties, the city was able to estimate the cost per residential property owner more accurately and found it would be less than previously estimated,: in fact, it is the same as the city’s proposal.”

CITY DATA
Regional Board
Prohibition Zone

425 residential parcels; 45 business parcels: Construction, $52 million; Business Monthly Cost, $6800–$17,000 (based on 10,000 - 25,000 gpd user); Resident Monthly Cost, $400 – $500.

City of Malibu
Alternate Plan

110 residential parcels; 25 business parcels: Construction, $30.8 million; Business Monthly Cost, $6,800 – $17,000 (based on 10,000 - 25,000 gpd user); Resident Monthly Cost. $400 – $500.
City staff stresses that all estimates are preliminary and likely to “vary as more information becomes available.” The city adds “cost estimates do not include the cost of acquiring land for the wastewater treatment facility or its dispersal fields, a price tag that is likely to further increase the overall cost of the system.” The estimates were prepared by the RMC Water and Environment engineering firm.
The city bases its argument on the premise that “emerging data and scientific studies are strongly supporting the long-held belief that cleaning up stormwater and urban runoff should be the highest priority for improving water quality and protecting public health—rather than banning existing septic systems.” However, this will be countered by vocal; and likely large numbers of proponents of the board proposal at this week’s hearing.
While the city states. “Five new studies on ocean water quality and bacteria levels are expected to be completed in the next six to nine months [and] these studies will provide significant findings to help guide the city and regional board and ensure their actions will improve water quality and protect the public’s health,” these groups have mounted a powerful “Clean Water at the Bu” campaign that flooded Malibu mailboxes this week and will resonate at the Thursday hearing.