LOS ALAMITOS : Council to Reconsider Sewer Service Options

After the issue spent months on the back burner, the City Council once again will consider whether to separate from the Los Alamitos County Water District, which provides sewer services to residents here and other communities.

Council members will decide today whether to file an application with the Local Agency Formation Commission to begin the process that could eventually lead to the city taking over sewer services for residents.

In March, the council voted to give officials of the water district time to present a plan for the maintenance of the 54 miles of sewer lines linking households here and in Rossmoor, Seal Beach and Cypress to a county sewer treatment plant amid concerns that the district does not have enough reserve funds.

A Los Alamitos district staff study indicated that the water district needs about $25 million to pay for repairs and replacement of the aging sewer lines, but the water district only has about $1 million in reserves.

The money would not be enough in case of a major disaster, like an earthquake, the study said.

In addition, the study indicated that the city could save about $30,000 a year by assuming sewer services, with income expected at $74,000 a year and expenses estimated at $44,000.

But officials of the district argued that Los Alamitos residents will pay higher rates if the city takes over sewer services.

In addition, they said that the water district has maintained sewer services for the past 42 years efficiently and without imposing user’s fees.

Residents pay an average of $1.25 a month for sewer services, which are taken from a portion of their property taxes.

The process of separating from the water district is complicated and could take from six months to a year. In addition to the $5,000 filing fee, the city would incur additional legal and engineering expenses.