Sewer Upgrade Bill 'Good' for San Juan

Allowing local wastewater agencies to make loans to private landowners to get rid of their septic systems would be good for San Juan Capistrano, the Utilities Commission said Tuesday.

The commission is recommending that the City Council pen a letter of support for Assembly Bill 741, authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, (D-San Rafael). The bill would authorize agencies to offer loans to private property owners to finance the replacement of their decrepit sewer pipes or to convert from septic to the public sewer system.

"Some of our neighbors in our city would not be able to do this without some type of assistance," said Commissioner Tom Lytle.

Antiquated septic systems and sewer laterals—pipes that transport wastewater from buildings to the public sewer main in the street—are known to contaminate drinking water supplies with potentially dangerous pathogens, such as nitrates and ammonia. But making the conversions and replacements can be expensive, with cost estimates as high as $10,000.

Assistant Utilities Director West Curry estimates that there are between 300 and 400 septic systems in the city, many of them along the creek. The bill, he said, "would be a tremendous benefit in helping pull these systems out."

The city of San Juan Capistrano operates its own water and sewer department. Typically, connecting to the city's public sewer requires a plan and an encroachment permit. Current state law permits loans to be made to private landowners when and if a regional water quality control board issues an abatement order.

The Irvine Ranch Water District is sponsoring the bill, which also won support from the South Coast Water District. On May 9, the bill passed the Assembly and now awaits approval from the Senate.

To read more about Assembly Bill 741, click here.