Sewage decision a victory for all

Despite some significant opposition from inland cities in Orange

County, last week’s decision by the Orange County Sanitation District

to provide stronger treatment of the waste that is pumped into waters

off Huntington Beach is a victory for everyone living and playing in

the county.

Now, instead of 243 million gallons of partially treated sewage

being sent miles off the shore, millions more gallons will get full

treatment.

And over the months and years, those millions will multiply until,

by nearly all accounts, there will be much less chance of beach

closures near where the district’s outfall pipe empties 4 1/2 miles

out to sea. It means less chance that a summer could be ruined, as

1999 was so disastrously here. It means less chance that the

so-called plume of sewage from the outfall pipe could creep back to

close range of Huntington Beach.

A year ago, the outcome of this vote was just about unimaginable.

It is unlikely that it ever would have occurred without the hard

work of environmental activists who refused to be ignored. They

hammered away at city and county leaders to make it clear that ending

the waiver and partial treatment was a necessity.

They also won the important media war and managed to get their

voices to the public via newspapers and television stations. The

result was a swing of public opinion against the waiver. Those

activists on the front lines of this fight deserve thanks.

Applause also is due to officials in the county’s coastal cities,

notably here in Huntington Beach, for getting involved early in the

battle against the waiver, the status quo and the sanitation

district.

In fact, without Huntington Beach officials leading the way, it

seems likely the pressure of consensus would have built up enough to

force this vote.

Yes, the treatment will cost more, and that money will come from

county taxpayers’ pockets. But the estimated $16 a year price tag per

person is a bargain to ensure the beaches and waters are open, safe

and clean.