City Council campaign news
Two major candidate forums are taking place this week. The first one is hosted by the Point Dume Community Association at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School, located at 6955 Fernhill Dr. The second one, hosted by the Malibu Township Council, takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Webster Elementary School, located at 3602 Winter Canyon Rd. Any groups hosting forums wanting them listed in The Malibu Times should e-mail the information to jf@malibutimes.com.
The candidates are Pamela Conley Ulich, Jefferson Wagner, John Sibert, Kathy Wisnicki and Susan Tellem. They are contending for three seats. Conley Ulich is the only incumbent running.
Absentee ballots can be requested by contacting City Hall at 310.456.2489 through April 1. The final day to register to vote is March 24. Election Day is April 8.
Operation Recovery cancels meeting
This Wednesday’s meeting of Operation Recovery, at which Battalion Chief Anthony Williams was supposed to speak, has been cancelled. However, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman is now scheduled to address the group on April 17 at Malibu High School at 6:30 p.m.
-Jonathan Friedman
Helpful suggestions for an improved septic system
Malibu Realtors have been vocal as advocates for the entire community in regard to a Septic/Wastewater Ordinance that the Malibu City Council adopted this week into the Municipal Code. Realtors were able to assist the city in modifying the ordinance for the benefit of the entire community.
As a public service, Meril May, vice president of the Malibu Association of Realtors, has written the following on how to best use and maintain a septic system.
Additional information can also be found at www.maliburealtors.org.
In Malibu, many homes use septic systems to dispose of wastewater. Wastewater can include water from sinks, showers, washers and toilets. Here are tips on maintaining a system.
€ Try to reduce the amount of water you use. This will reduce the amount the system has to treat, the ground has to absorb, and for what you have to pay.
€ Do not put oils, grease or fats down the drain. These are very bad for your septic system’s life and efficiency. Minimize using the garbage disposal, and use the trash can instead.
€ Do not put paints, anti-freeze or pesticides down the drain.
€ Do not put baby wipes, sanitary napkins, cigarettes, disposable diapers or other inorganic items down the drain or toilet
€ Fix toilets that may be “running” or leaking water through the bowl. Running toilets are one of the largest wasters of water and put a strain on your septic system. This also applies to leaking faucets.
€ Use septic friendly detergent, preferably a liquid. Sometimes powders are not as easy to process.
€ Bleach is not good for the system. There are bacteria in your system working hard to break down all you flush into it. Other products which can kill the “good” bacteria resulting in a less efficient system include some anti-bacterial products, liquid drain cleaners, and those flush toilet bowl cleaners which contain bleach.
€ Have your system maintained. Simple, routine maintenance can extend the life of the system and prevent costly problems. Do you know where the system and components are? When was the last time an inspection was performed to check the operation?
Just because you do not see the system does not mean it doesn’t need special care. Space out the volume of water you put in the system. A slower flow is easier for the system than if all water uses are in action at the same time. The bacteria have time to work rather than being deluged all at once.
€ The City of Malibu’s Web site is www.ci.malibu.ca.us. City Departments, Environmental and Community Development, Environmental and Building Safety Division, Wastewater Management (Septic Systems), have additional information. In addition, the Environmental Health Office can be contacted at 310.456.2489.
There are a variety of septic, and/or onsite wastewater treatment systems, or OWTS. Some are very basic in concept and some are much more technologically advanced. Should you have any concerns or questions, please check with a qualified service professional or the city of Malibu. Septic tips and/or brochures are available upon request at the city of Malibu. Additional information can also be found at www.maliburealtors.org.
The Malibu Association of Realtors has provided these helpful hints to improve your home and our community. The above is provided only as basic information and not guaranteed for all systems.