Joint Powers Authority Files Petition to Block New Water Quality Standards for Malibu Creek

The Las Virgenes – Triunfo Joint Powers Authority (JPA), a joint venture of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) and Triunfo Sanitation District (TSD), has filed a petition with the United States District Court in Oakland, seeking to overturn a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directive to establish stringent new water quality standards for Malibu Creek by March 24, 2013. If established as proposed, the standards will require construction of over $160 million in new wastewater treatment facilities.

The newly-proposed standards arise from a 2010 consent decree reached among the EPA, Heal the Bay and Santa Monica Baykeeper (represented by the National Resources Defense Council). The EPA only released its draft document in mid-December, with a cutoff for comments set for January 25, rushed by the impending deadline.

“Ratepayers need to have a voice if they are to bear these costs,” said Michael McReynolds, who serves as Chair of both the JPA and of the Triunfo Sanitation District Board of Directors. “The JPA Board is firm in its belief that not only has the legal process been mishandled, but there is inadequate scientific evidence to support the desired outcome would be achieved.”

Charles Caspary, JPA Vice Chair and President of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Board sais, “We remain committed to providing cost-effective wastewater treatment services for our customers, while serving as a responsible environmental steward for the Malibu Creek watershed.”

The JPA has been actively engaged with water quality issues in its service area; a recent history of its communications on the TMDL can be found at www.LVMWD.com or at www.TriunfoSanitation.com.

Updates on this topic will be posted on both websites.