Grant monies assure future of safe wastewater treatment for Saticoy

July 04, 2001
Santa Paula News
Residents of Saticoy can now rest easy on the looming issue of how to handle their wastewater. For some time the issue of how to finance wastewater treatment plant improvements required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) ha Residents of Saticoy can now rest easy on the looming issue of how to handle their wastewater. For some time the issue of how to finance wastewater treatment plant improvements required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) have been troubling officials at the Saticoy Sanitary District (SSD).“The State Water Board has enacted many new restrictions on how we handle wastewater - including a septic tank prohibition within the Oxnard Forebay - that render our current system obsolete,” explains Jim Acosta, SSD Boardmember. “In order to comply with these requirements, a complete overhaul is necessary.”But paying for the project, in an area populated by many low-income families, was a problem. The estimated cost for the new treatment plant and additional sewers was in excess of $4.4 million. “We turned to the Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) for help,” said Kelly Polk, SSD’s district manager. SSD and VRSD have partnered successfully for over 30 years in coordinating wastewater treatment efforts throughout the county. As a longtime VRSD customer, it was logical that SSD turn to the regional district for help.And successful. VRSD Engineer Mark Capron and his team tackled the project and were able to secure nearly $3 million in grant monies and an additional $1 million in low interest loans to solve SSD’s looming problem.
Bill Smith, VRSD’s general manager, is pleased. “As a result of this funding, Saticoy Sanitary District will soon have a modern wastewater treatment plant using the most effective technology, as well as a more comprehensive network of sewers, serving the entire community. These improvements will help bring the region into compliance with current and future wastewater treatment requirements and vastly improve the quality of water percolated into the aquifer.”



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