Bleaching plan takes step forward
Paul Clinton
NEWPORT-MESA -- The Orange County Sanitation District Board on
Wednesday took a first step toward disinfecting the waste it sends into
the sea.
However, while approving $200,000 for engineering work, the board did
not officially approve the new treatment. Members deferred that decision
for 30 days until a full analysis of the plan could be prepared by staff
members.
Board members announced the decision Feb. 22 to treat the sewage with
bleach three time stronger than ordinary household bleach.
Every day, the district sends treated sewage into the sea via a pipe
on the ocean floor off Huntington Beach.
The disinfection method, which has drawn mixed reviews from
environmentalists, would cost the district $5 million per year. The
bleach would kill all bacteria in the waste water, which
environmentalists have charged has caused illnesses in surfers and
swimmers and closed much of Huntington Beach’s sands in the summer of
1999.
Newport Beach Mayor Tod Ridgeway, who sits on the district board, said
he supports the move but not as an alternative to what’s known as “full
secondary” treatment. Under that treatment, the water is nearly clear
when it is released.
“We are clearly for full secondary,” Ridgeway said. “But I was
supporting the disinfection” at the meeting.
The district has begun environmental engineering on the disinfection
effort, which is expected to be in place by summer.
Defend the Bay founder Bob Caustin said he doesn’t support
disinfection as a long-term answer to lowering bacteria counts in the
ocean and cutting down on beach closures.
“They’re trying to side step” full secondary treatment, Caustin said.
“They’re trying to do a quick fix.”
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