SALT FIX DEADLINE MOVED CLOSER WATER QUALITY DECISION MAY LEAD TO BIG HIKES IN SEWER BILLS.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Water regulators voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a plan that will hasten the deadline for lowering salt levels in the Santa Clara River, a move that could quadruple local sewer rates.

While not officially ordering the local sanitation district to build a proposed $350-million desalination system, the decision by Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board will shorten by two years -- to 2016 -- the date when the district must fix the salt problem.

Local city, sanitation district and water agency officials say the matter warrants further study.

``My concern is without the scientific studies being done, a decision will be made prematurely on what they're going to make the (Santa Clarita Valley) Sanitation District do to comply with what they consider a proper amount of chloride being released into sewer water,'' said Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean.

``If they come to the conclusion the (district) has to build a brine line to the ocean, what about the ocean ecology, with dumping more salt into the ocean?''

The lineup of those who supported the board's decision and those who urged study split along county lines: Los Angeles versus Ventura.

Ventura County farmers, officials, public agencies and agricultural trade groups voiced urgent concern about crop damage and said the board needs to hasten lowering chlorides -- salt -- in the river. The county is the 10th largest agricultural region in the state, accounting for about $1.3 billion in annual sales.

McLean, Bob Haueter, an aide to Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, and local water agency officials urged the board to continue studying the matter.

Local residents' sewer costs could quadruple to more than $400 a year if the plant is built, but businesses would be hit even harder.

A 3,000-square-foot restaurant that now pays about $3,200 a year in sewer fees could be billed $13,300, and the rate for a 50,000-square-foot shopping center that now pays $11,700 could jump to $48,250, said Oliver Cramer, an environmental analyst for the city.

``I don't think the business community is aware this significant financial issue has the ability to affect them as quickly as it does,'' said Larry Mankin, president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce. ``It would cost them tens of thousands of dollars each.''

But Matthew Freeman, general manager of Camulos Ranch Company, said it will potentially cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production if the salt surge continues.

``It's like the tip of an iceberg,'' he said. ``The real damage done is below. If it goes unchecked, agriculture is sunk. The (agriculture) industry and way of life is going to sink just like the Titanic.''

The 6,500-or-so salt-generating water softener units in the Santa Clarita Valley responsible for discharging one-third of the salt in wastewater released from two local treatment plants, according to the sanitation district.

The plants remove pathogens and viruses -- things that make you sick -- but do not remove chloride. The district estimates the units discharge more than a pound of salt a day into the sewer.

Beginning in 2003, state law allowed a ban on installing salt-generating water softener units, and the agency offers a $150 rebate to remove and replace the units with alternative products. The rebate covers only about one-tenth of residents' costs, and nearly 300 people have taken advantage of it.

Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, has introduced Senate Bill 475, aiming to stave off the fee increase. The measure, which would become effective in January 2007 at the earliest, would allow the sanitation agency to require people to ditch the salt-producing units, and would rebate the depreciated cost of existing units and pay for their removal.

``It is our message to stay the course with the original study,'' Runner said Thursday. ``The issue is not worked out what is the appropriate (chloride) level.

``Shortening the process, you won't have time to do real scientific work.''

Voters would have a say in the matter, through a referendum. A simple majority would be needed for it to pass.

Steven Bachman, groundwater resources manager for the United Water Conservation District, which manages the river's resources, couched the issue as pay now or pay later.

``Everyone is eventually going to have to pay for some solution,'' he said. ``The best solution is one that satisfies the water quality concerns on the river and is cost effective for sewer ratepayers.''

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Water runs into the Santa Clara River. High levels of chlorides are prompting the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to move a cleanup deadline closer. The decision could lead to much higher sewer bills.

(2 -- color) no caption (Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting)

(3) Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Chairman David Nahai, right, and Vice-Chair Francine Diamond listen to remarks during a meeting Thursday at Santa Clarita City Hall.

David Crane/Staff Photographer