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.”