Council moves closer to new sewer ordinance

Mike Swanson

Repairing Laguna Beach’s small private sewer pipes, which are

responsible for nearly half of city spills, could hinge on residents

paying $3,000 to $5,000 bill if studies reveal faulty pipes.

The city has until Oct. 1 to submit a plan to the Environmental

Protection Agency that addresses problems with tree roots in private

sewers. The agency ordered the city to develop a plan in September in

reaction to excessive sewer spills in Laguna Beach, which total 22 in

2002-03 through May 31, according to State Water Resources Control

Board data.

The City Council unveiled a plan in its “conceptual stage” Tuesday

devised by the Waste Water Advisory Committee and city staff that

should result in an ordinance in 90 to 120 days. The plan puts more

responsibility on private owners to keep their sewers clean and to

coordinate with the city when cleaning or repairing.

The plan presented by Asst. City Manager John Pietig calls for a

gradual overhaul of the city’s private sewer lines, calling it a

three-year plan starting with the most at-risk neighborhoods first.

“The tree isn’t necessarily the problem,” Pietig said. “A properly

sealed lateral will not allow root filtration.”

Properly sealed laterals, however, could cost residents more than

Pietig’s $3,000 to $5,000 estimate, Cheryl Kinsman and Roger von

Butow of Clean Water Now! said.

Kinsman said she couldn’t support the plan because it was too much

to pile on residents at one time.

“This may come as a shock to people, but not everybody in Laguna

Beach is rich,” Kinsman said.

Resident Dave Connell spoke later on the same topic, representing

Laguna Beach’s senior population living on social security. He said

the estimated cost of fixing private sewer lines could knock out half

of his income.

Sewers are important, but not worth breaking citizens or putting

them deep in debt, he added.

Councilman Wayne Baglin stressed that something drastic must be

done or the EPA will act upon the city again. He said they need to

put as much responsibility on owners as possible to keep Laguna’s

sewers from spilling.

In 2002-03, Laguna Beach has more than twice as many sewer spills

as any other South County city, according to State Water Resources

Control Board data.

“Because of the EPA, we have the responsibility to give them a

program,” Baglin said. “They’re being a little heavy-handed.”

The plan also includes heavier and more frequent fines when

residents’ lines spill, especially if they reach the beach.

The council introduced some amendments to the submitted tentative

plan, including extending residents’ time to fix faulty sewer lines

from 90 to 180 days and not fining those who do everything suggested

by the city, but still suffer a spill.

The council also suggested developing a payment plan system of

$100 a month instead of hitting residents with a lump sum.

The council voted 4 to 1 in favor of the amended plan, but it’s

still considered in the discussion stage. However, if a city

ordinance is developed, then it could affect every resident, except

those in South Laguna, who are subject to a different water quality

board.

“If people understood what this was, this room would be full,”

Kinsman said.