There seemed to be quite a stir at the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board hearing at Agoura Hills City Hall on September 1 when I offered to drink a bottle of water from our Tapia Water Reclamation Facility. I made that challenge because we need to clear up the continuing misinformation that Tapia’s water is a threat to human health. It is not!
Water from Tapia is the cleanest water in Malibu Creek. Tapia’s water actually dilutes bacteria and other pollutants that come into the creek from higher up in the watershed. And, while not meant for drinking, Tapia’s water nearly meets drinking water standards.
Misinformation was brought up over and over during the hearing. Sometimes well intended; other times by those who know or should have known better. If decisions and actions are based on perpetuated misinformation, our attention and resources will be diverted to false promises, leaving real issues and problems unaddressed. This has to stop!
Solutions for the Malibu Creek watershed will take collaboration and broad-based thinking to find ways how to make the best of our talents, and energy, and resources. It is not in a pipeline to take surplus recycled water to the Los Angeles River. It is not requiring exorbitant water treatment at a single spot five miles from the bottom of a 105 square mile watershed. It is not take the cleanest water out of the creek, water I will willingly drink if it will get people to concentrate on what really needs to be done.
Here’s to the health of the entire Malibu Creek Watershed.
Charles Caspary
President, Board of Directors
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District