WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps today gained Congressional support to provide future federal funding for the Los Osos wastewater system in the Water Resources Development Act of 2005 during the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee markup.
The bill authorizes up to $35 million in federal resources for the Los Osos Community Service District (LOCSD) to help the local community implement its proposed wastewater system. This authorization means that in future years, the federal government can appropriate funds to help pay for the new sewage treatment facility that the Los Osos community needs.
“I am responding to Community Services District calls for federal money for the wastewater system,” Congresswoman Capps said. “This is a perfect example of the federal government giving a helping hand to a local community to help them confront a serious challenge. Passage of this legislation would be an enormous step in sustaining the quality of life in Los Osos for years to come.”
Los Osos, with a population of 14,600 people, does not have a sewer system. Instead, each household has an individual septic tank. Due of its location next to the Morro Bay National Estuary and the absence of a centralized wastewater treatment system, Los Osos is being required by the Regional Quality Control Board and the State Water Quality Control Board to replace the current septic system, cleanse Los Osos’ groundwater basin to ensure clean and safe water for the residents of Los Osos and to protect the neighboring Morro Bay National Estuary.
If Congress appropriates money in the future, it could be used in conjunction with state and other funding to replace the current septic system, cleanse Los Osos’ groundwater basin to ensure clean and safe water and to protect the neighboring Morro Bay National Estuary. The proposed wastewater project will also resolve Los Osos’ longstanding problem with MTBE and E-coli groundwater contamination, prevent seawater intrusion into deeper groundwater levels and recharge groundwater supplies.
The bill also includes a $3 million credit authorization for the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) to cover costs incurred in the design, permitting and environmental studies of its desalination project.
“The community of Cambria faces a serious risk to its water supply due to drought and MTBE contamination,” Congresswoman Capps said. “This project will ensure that the 8,000 Cambria residents who depend on the CCSD will have access to pure and clean water.”
The CCSD is undertaking this major desalination project to mitigate the potential impacts of MTBE contamination and provide insurance against inadequate ground water supplies. Currently, the community draws its water from wells in shallow aquifers along the San Simeon and Santa Rosa Creeks, which are subject to seasonal rainfall and unable to provide a reliable water source. High levels of MTBE have been detected, threatening the water supply, since the discovery of a leaking underground tank in 1983.
Once the project is completed, the CCSD plant will have the capacity to produce 300 gallons per minute of product water, which will be blended with groundwater prior to distribution.
The full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will consider the bill next before sending it to the House of Representatives. If the House approves the bill, it will be sent to the Senate for its consideration.
