The County will have to pin down specifics on the development and implementation of certain aspects of the project such as conservation, re-use and preservation of wetland resources, but may not review issues of collection, treatment and sludge. We find this disappointing because these aspects greatly affect our coastal resources including ocean quality.

The County’s chosen collection method is conventional gravity, a technology involving large pipes, deep trenching, 20,000 joints, and 900 manholes all of which become targets for both infiltration of water and exfiltration of sewage. In contrast, low pressure collection, which Surfrider Foundation endorses, consists of a sealed, small diameter pipe installed at shallow depths. Not only is the low pressure system far less of an impact, it is much less expensive and it naturally breaks down solids, significantly decreasing bio hazardous sludge, which is ample with a conventional gravity system.

High fecal coliform levels are all too frequently found up and down the coast. Much of the problem can be attributed to leaking gravity systems under constant repair. Replacement of these aging systems could be easily and relatively inexpensively done with a low pressure system, and then natural treatment ponds can treat to tertiary making the cleaned water available for reuse, eliminating ocean outfall.

There are simple answers to our complex problems. The California Coastal Commission is forcing San Luis Obispo County to take a closer look at the LOWWP, but will it be enough to move this precedent setting project in a sustainable direction?