Anti-sewage waiver bill passes assembly

Paul Clinton

A bill that would require the Orange County Sanitation District to

step up the treatment of its sewage has sailed through the State

Assembly.

The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 1969, passed in the house of

the Legislature on a 62-8 vote on Wednesday evening. It now moves to the

Senate for approval.

Author Ken Maddox (R-Garden Grove) praised the overwhelming support

for the legislation, which would also short-circuit the district’s

attempt to renew a federal waiver that would keep treatment levels status

quo.

The district dumps 240-million gallons of partially treated sewage

into the ocean each day via an outfall pipe leading 4 1/2 miles out to sea. City officials suspect this plume of sewage is contributing to

bacteria contamination in the surf zone.

“My anti-poop measure has caught a wave,” Maddox said. “[The plume] is

a prime contributor to the unhealthy condition off the coast.”

Maddox introduced the bill on Feb. 14. It has garnered the support of

the City Council and the Ocean Outfall Group, a band of local

environmentalists lobbying for stepped-up treatment of the sewage.

Assemblyman Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) is a coauthor on the bill,

which was also supported by Assemblyman John Campbell, who represents

Newport Beach.

Two Orange County assembly members, Lynn Daucher (R-Brea) and Bill

Campbell (R-Orange), voted against it.