EL RIO : Sewage Problem May Halt Construction

Construction in El Rio may be halted until the unincorporated community of about 12,000 deals with its sewage problem.

County officials are drawing up a proposal that will ask the County Board of Supervisors to impose a building moratorium on the area.

El Rio, which depends entirely on septic systems to handle its sewage, has repeatedly been plagued by contamination of its water supply by nitrates from sewage seeping out of the septic systems.

One of the side effects of nitrate contamination includes “blue baby syndrome,” which can cause death in infants by inhibiting their ability to absorb oxygen, officials say.

Nitrate contamination in El Rio at its worst in 1991 was measured at three times higher than what is considered safe.

“A sewer system is really the best solution for the community,” said Jeff Walker, permit supervisor for the county’s planning department. “It would allow them to go forward and develop their properties to the extent that zoning laws allow.”

But the cost of a new sewer system, which could be as high as $10 million, might prove prohibitive for area residents.

“I would like the community to resolve the issue rather than the county saying ‘you have to put in a sewer system and you have to pay for it,’ ” said Supervisor John Flynn, who represents the area.

The County Environmental Health Department is expected to submit a letter to the Board of Supervisors in the next two weeks that will outline the problem.

“We want to study the prospects of having a moratorium,” Bob Gallagher of the Environmental Health Department said Tuesday. “In the meantime, we’re trying to look for state money to help fund a new sewage system for the area.”