The Tapia Water Treatment Plant discharges must be considered as a possible source of toxic chemicals that killed fish in Malibu Creek. Unless treatment conditions at the plant have changed, there is no fail-safe elimination for the illegal dumping of toxic wastes. The Water Quality Control Board has also not required the plant to upgrade its treatments to reduce harmful nitrate and phosphate discharges to levels obtained with other plants statewide. There is also rare monitoring for fish kills from the plant despite the fact that fish have died in a previous test. The plant should be upgraded so as to provide drinkable water that can be totally recycled, not dumped into Malibu Creek.
Dr. Jeff Harris