Carlsbad
The Leucadia County Water District, at its monthly board meeting Wednesday night, became the third North County agency to approve full secondary treatment of sewage at the Encina Waste Treatment Facility in Carlsbad.
Three more agencies--the City of Vista, the Buena County Sanitation District and the San Marcos County Water District--must vote for the stepped-up treatment if the Encina plant is to change from its current “advanced primary” process.
Currently, the plant dumps about 17.5 million gallons of water a day into the Pacific just off Carlsbad State Beach. The Encina plant serves a population of 180,000 in parts of San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas and unincorporated areas.
Wednesday’s vote followed almost two hours of public testimony and board discussion. Although happy with the unanimous vote, Richard McManus, founder of People for a Clean Ocean, said he expects stiff resistance for improved sewage treatment from the inland agencies, when the matter comes before them.
The issue will be heard Monday by the San Marcos County Water District board. District manager Bill Rucker said he expects the board’s “reaffirmation” of its previous position favoring the current advanced primary treatment.
The Vista City Council will consider the issue later this month, and the Buena Sanitation District will vote on the matter in June.
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