Outfall Repair and Expansion OKd

Over the vocal opposition of environmentalists and beach-goers, the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority board Thursday unanimously approved the repair and expansion of the ocean outfall that carries sewage from Escondido, Solana Beach and Encinitas.

The $12-million contract between the city of Escondido and the sanitation districts of Solana Beach and Cardiff will expand the capacity of the San Elijo Ocean Outfall by a third. The agreement also requires sewage to be disinfected before being discharged.

The agreement calls for expanding the outfall capacity from 24.5 million gallons a day to 35 million gallons. The outfall now extends for a mile and a half into the ocean, dumping 19 million gallons of sewage a day into water 160 feet deep.

The board also voted to put a measure on the ballot to extend the length of the outfall. The extension would be paid for by Solana Beach and Cardiff users.

“For them to get off the hook by sending it to the voters is avoidance of their duties,” said Richard MacManus, one of about 200 protesters in attendance.

Critics have charged that the expansion will result in the coastal cities having to put up with increased pollution from growing Escondido. The inland city already uses 79% of the outfall capacity.

Escondido has said it will do its part by building a plant to reclaim all of the city’s water within the next three years.