NIPOMO, Calif. – The Nipomo Community Services District suspects illegal dumping is taking place at its wastewater treatment facility. According to the NCSD, recent readings of sewage concentration has measured two to three times higher than normal.
The suspected illegal dumping comes at a time when the NCSD is currently constructing a new wastewater facility. The $13 million construction project is causing the current treatment plant to operate 25 percent less than normal capacity. The higher discharge sewage concentration is putting the plant over a state mandated threshold, which could lead to potential fines.
In an effort to catch the person(s) responsible, the Nipomo Community Services District is asking the community to be aware of suspicious activity around sewer manhole covers in the community. For more information, see story below.
Story provided by Nipomo Community Services District
An abnormally high strength wastewater has Nipomo Community Services District suspecting illegal dumping into the wastewater collection system.
At the District Southland Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility, incoming concentrations of solids and biochemical demand which typically run in the 200-300 milligram per liter (mg/l) range have routinely measured two to three times that high during the past months.
The high concentrations are an added challenge to operators since the plant treatment capacity is reduced by 25% during the ongoing plant reconstruction. The plant is exceeding state mandated discharge concentrations which may lead to assessment of fines from regulatory authorities.
The community is asked to report any suspicious activity around District facilities, especially sewer system manhole covers, to the District offices at 805-929-1133.
