Waste Site by Water Supply Is on Hold

A plan to put a household hazardous waste collection facility next to the city’s water supply has stalled, county officials said Monday.

The county-proposed facility at 5777 N. Ventura Ave. was scheduled to open in May. The county withdrew a permit request last month when the director of the county environmental health department asked for more information about the facility.

Officials expect a revamped application to be submitted in July.

Ron Calkins, the city’s director of public works, said he is unfamiliar with the new application but is still opposed to the project.

“I remain very concerned about the location, but I don’t know if they’re planning to do anything new or different,” Calkins said. “I wish I knew what the county is doing. I’ve been getting vague responses.”

City officials have opposed the facility since it was proposed last year, contending that contaminants could enter the city’s water supply. City Council members voted in April to send a letter opposing the plant to the county Board of Supervisors.

County officials say the facility--a former fire station--poses no real threats because it is “down grade and downwind from the water facility.”

“We’re not talking about a large operation here or really nasty stuff,” said Kay Martin, the county’s deputy director of public works.

The facility would be open two weekends a month, collecting material such as motor oil, paint, pesticides and pool chemicals. It would serve Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore and the unincorporated areas of the county.