New Regulations May Increase Sewage Costs

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is scheduled to meet to discuss stricter controls at the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility before issuing another wastewater discharge permit to the Agoura and Calabasas sewer plant.

A Las Virgenes Municipal Water District-Triunfo Sanitation District Joint Powers Authority co-owns the Tapia plant, which needs a new permit every five years.

The joint authority serves Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, portions of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Built in 1965, Tapia treats about 10 million gallons of wastewater per day. Most of the water recycled at the plant is used to irrigate landscaping on golf courses, school grounds, highway medians and parks. The leftover wastewater is discharged into the Malibu Creek watershed from Nov. 15 to April 15 and into the Los Angeles River intermittently during spring and fall.

The facility recently completed $10 million in improvements to meet the requirements set forth by the water board in 2005. However, the board may require the facility to increase testing and sampling in the Malibu Creek watershed and make additional upgrades.

Tapia officials warn the new regulations could cost ratepayers $10 million.

Customers of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District currently pay $108 for two months of sewer service. Triunfo Sanitation District customers pay sewer fees as part of their county tax statement. On average, a single-family residence in the Triunfo district pays about $500 per year for sewage treatment.