Ordinance to Limit Septic Waste Transfer in the Works

Complaints from residents about a sewage smell from trucks that transport septic waste out of Malibu have prompted city staff to begin work on an ordinance.

The Malibu Wastewaster Advisory Committee will discuss the draft ordinance, which seeks to regulate where businesses which remove, pump or transport septic waste can take the sewage, at its meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Zuma Room at Malibu City Hall.

The committee members are expected to provide feedback and a recommendation on whether the Septic Pumper Truck Transfer Ordinance should move forward to the City Attorney and the City Manager.

According to a staff report, companies that remove septic waste use smaller trucks to go up canyon roads to a larger truck near main connecting roads.

"This practice has resulted in complaints from the community, as the transfer of septic material from the smaller truck to the larger truck releases odors in the surrounding area," the report states. "Additional concerns were expressed regarding the possible spilage of waste during transfer, resulting in septic waste entering storm drains."

Malibu Patch will have more on this story soon.