Laguna Beach : Council to Vote on Funds for Offshore Pipe Repair

A request for funds to help pay for emergency repairs to an offshore sewer drain in South Laguna that could be in danger of collapse will come before the City Council for a vote tonight.

According to Bill Becker of the Aliso Water Management Agency, sand and gravel underneath portions of the pipe, which extends 1.6 miles from shore, have washed away, leaving two 20-foot sections completely unsupported and in danger of separating from adjacent lengths of pipe.

Correcting the problem by placing fresh sand and gravel under the weakened sections is estimated to cost about $100,000, about $18,500 of which would be Laguna Beach’s share under terms of its joint-powers agreement with the agency.

Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank said the money could be forwarded to the water management agency within about two weeks of council approval.

Six water districts in unincorporated parts of south Orange County that are affiliated with the agency are expected to contribute between $7,800 to $25,000, depending on population, Becker said.

Repair work to the sewer pipe is targeted to begin in early October, before rough winter weather sets in, according to Ray Miller, general manager of the South Coast County Water District. “If the weather is really good, they can get the job finished in one to three days,” he said.