I am recommending to the Regional Water Quality Control Board that action be postponed on the proposed amendment to prohibit septic systems in the Malibu Civic Center area. Pending results by many qualified scientists on Malibu Creek’s lower watershed pathogens, water hydraulic pressures, nutrient sources, etc., should be evaluated by you before any vote is taken. These results are due to be published early next year.
My perspective comes from many years of treating surfers and swimmers for infections at Surfrider Beach. I can confidently announce that I have not seen nor heard of water related infections for at least the past five years during the peak use summer months.
I expect the latest epidemiological study done this summer at Surfrider Beach will indicate little if any water-related illness when it is published early next year. The Regional Board, SMBRP, City of Malibu, Heal the Bay, SM Baykeeper, LVRCD and other activist stakeholders will deserve accommodations for this accomplishment early next year.
The Board and others must realize that they cannot get current human pathogen risk assessments relying on outdated and invalidated fecal and coliform bacteria indicators. As you know the many lagoon birds and small animals cause high levels of these indicators.
The Board should insist that present and future monitoring for Malibu Creek, Lagoon and Beach should be done with rapid pathogen specific indicators currently in use by UCSB, UCLA and the EPA.
The recent fish and crayfish kills in lower Malibu Creek and Lagoon emphasize the need for understanding the relative contributions of nutrients to algae growth and eutrophication. Again, pending studies with the latest testing, methods will be due next year.
Now is the time to wait for definitive study results, not vote to proceed.
Dr. Jeff Harris