Studies show no bacteria found in sewer water samples

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Residents concerned about the integrity of city

sewers can rest easy.

Water samples drawn throughout April from 10 wells spread throughout

the Downtown area have found no traces of contamination from bacteria.

Five weekly tests have found no evidence of residue from sewer leaks

first spotted in 1996, city officials said.

“We hope this puts to rest any concerns about the repaired Downtown

sewers causing any possible water quality issues with the ocean,” City

Administrator Ray Silver said.

The test results support three edicts the city has consistently put

forth, namely that there is no sewage or any material to clean up from

Downtown soil, the leaks have had zero impact on city drinking water --

the nearest potable water well is more than three miles inland -- as well

as a 1999 study that stated city sewers were not involved in ocean

bacteria found along Surf City beaches that summer.

In March, the city pleaded guilty to three counts of violating

sections of state water code concerning the negligent and intentional

discharge of pollutants. The charges stemmed from the city’s video survey

of its sewers in 1996, where massive breaks were found in lines running

beneath Downtown and Old Town Huntington Beach.

But ground water tests did not find any residue from the leaked

sewage, and with repairs to the broken pipes completed in December --

using a slip-lining process that forms a new inner pipe within the

original -- the city is turning its attention to other parts of

Huntington Beach.

The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has directed city

officials to address all sewer problems found during video surveys,

including much of north Huntington Beach.

Robert Beardsley, the city’s director of public works, said that about

178 sections of pipe have been identified with minor damage and are

slated for slip-lining.

Those pipes, he said, are more durable than the ones running beneath

Downtown Huntington Beach, and consist of a harder clay resembling

ceramics.

“We plan on starting that project in October 2001, and estimate it to

cost about $1.8 million,” Beardsley said. “It will take about two years,

but will leave no question that our sewer system is in a good state.”

Once that project is complete, the city will use its video camera to

canvas sewer lines that have gone unchecked, and make repairs as needed

there as well.

Meanwhile, the city is moving forward with the sewer fee for property

owners that will generate funds to maintain, operate and replace sewer

infrastructure.

“The fee would generate about $1.3 million a year for the city’s sewer

system,” said Deputy Public Works Director Paul Emery. “We’re planning to

bring it before City Council for review in the [Monday] study session.”