Occidental still seeking a sewer solution

The latest in a series of efforts to clean up Occidental's sewage discharge has stalled, ironically, over environmental concerns.

"It's back to square one," said Steve McNeal, a 13-year member of an informal ratepayers group seeking solutions to the small town's wastewater problems.

Occidental, whose sewer system is run by the Sonoma County Water Agency, has been looking for a new way to dispose of its wastewater since 1997, when the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered it to clean up its discharge to comply with water quality standards by 2008.

The water quality control board extended Occidental's deadlines over the years, recognizing the financial challenges of updating such a small sewer system, but this February issued another order that authorities believe they must meet by 2018 or face huge fines.

Now, Occidental residents are seeking a fix with increased urgency, both because of the impending deadline and because residents and business owners are struggling to pay current rates. Sewage rates rose from $976 per household in 2005 to $1,682 in 2013, making them some of the highest in the state. And that's with the Water Agency subsidizing rates to keep costs down for the roughly 100 customers in the tiny sewer district.

"There's a sense of urgency deeply embedded within our psyche," McNeal said.

Al Negri, who owns the Occidental Hotel, said that rising rates have seriously cut into his bottom line over the years, but the problem is even worse for local restaurants: His brother Joe Negri, who has since died, was forced to shut down the Altamont restaurant several years ago in part because he could not afford the sewer costs.

"One of the key goals of a future project would be to reduce operating costs," said Mike Thompson, assistant general manager of the Water Agency. That would allow the agency to scale back its subsidies and possibly reduce costs for ratepayers.

The Water Agency has made small advances over the years, such as replacing leaky water mains, but a bigger solution has proved elusive for financial and political reasons. Most recently, the Water Agency proposed creating a new storage pond on land, owned by John and Pauline Loades, where they currently store treated wastewater. From there, it's used to irrigate the Loadeses' fields in the summer and released into nearby Dutch Bill Creek in the rainy season. The pond where the water is currently held can no longer be used because it flows into Dutch Bill Creek, which is protected as part of the Russian River watershed.

But to build the new storage facility, the agency would have had to cut down about 160 large trees, many of them redwoods. Neighbors raised concerns and the Loadeses joined them in objecting to the plan. They, too, were concerned about the trees, as well as the potential for a landslide: The water would have been stored on a hill above their home.

Because of the outcry, the Water Agency agreed to seek alternatives. So at a late October meeting, officials met with Occidental residents to again discuss solutions.

Cordel Stillman, deputy chief engineer for the Water Agency, said the simplest and cheapest fix would be to find another place to hold treated wastewater, which could then be used for irrigation. That way, the water wouldn't have to meet stricter treatment standards. However, that plan hinges on finding a willing landowner.

Meanwhile, the Loadeses, along with a small group of concerned neighbors, have been researching alternatives, too. They don't pay rates into the Occidental sewer system, but they say they still want to find a solution that works for the community -- and doesn't involve their land.

They're proposing a new plant that would treat sewage to a higher level so that it could be released into local waterways without violating state regulations.

"We believe it's in everyone's best interest to treat the water to the highest level possible," said Ann Maurice, one of the neighbors.

Water Agency officials said building such a plant could be very expensive. Still, Thompson said, they'll consider any options at this point.

"We're casting a wide net here," he said.

McNeal said he was glad the neighbors are continuing to give input after opposing the earlier project.

"The more people on board, the better the outcome will be," he said.

The Water Agency is investigating many ideas, and plans to present new options to the community in about six months.

"The SCWA has worked very hard, done all they can to help us," Negri said. But, he added, he doesn't see a permanent solution until a willing landowner steps forward.

"You can't pump it up into the air," he said.

You can reach Staff Writer Jamie Hansen at 521-5205 or jamie.hansen @pressdemocrat.com.