Clean Water At The ‘Bu - Malibu Septic Prohibition

On Tuesday, September 21, the California State Water Board voted unanimously (5/0) to support the Regional Water Board’s prohibition of septic systems in the Malibu Civic Center area. Commercial facilities must be off septics by 2015 and residential sites must be off by 2019. Septic systems in Malibu have long contributed to the chronic pollution problems at Malibu Creek, Lagoon, and Surfrider Beach. A central sewer system will significantly improve water quality by reducing the risk of septic systems leaching into the groundwater and contaminating the Malibu coastline with high levels of bacteria. This victory will also reduce the task of management and enforcement of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) that are faulty or not to code, a responsibility that the City of Malibu has repeatedly failed to accomplish. Millions of people visit Surfrider Beach each year. Removing septic systems in the lower Malibu Creek Watershed will significantly reduce the health risk for all who surf/swim along this stretch of coastline.