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By Ernest Ewin
Chair, Metro Wastewater JPA and Metro Commission
Over the past several years, the Metro Wastewater JPA and Metro Commission (comprised of the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, and Poway, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Otay Water District and the County of San Diego), all agencies whose wastewater is treated by the City of San Diego, have followed, evaluated and supported the City in its efforts to obtain a modified permit for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant.
We have a vested interest in the outcome, because as partners in the City of San Diego’s metro wastewater system, we are responsible for approximately 35% of the costs associated with the system.
This means that failure to obtain the modified permit will result in our rate payers footing the bill for 35% of the costs associated with the then required, but scientifically unnecessary treatment plant upgrades which are currently estimated to be $1.5 Billion to construct and an additional $30 Million a year to operate. A current estimate of the cost impact to our rate payers can be found on our website, www.metrojpa.org.
As chairperson of the Metro JPA/ Metro Commission, I want to express disappointment in the actions taken by the California Coastal Commission earlier this month. More importantly, I want to express the Metro JPA/Metro Commission’s continued support of the City of San Diego in its application efforts, not only because it will spare our ratepayers, but also because the City’s application for a modified permit is scientifically supported and meets the requirements of the Clean Water Act.
The views expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
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