This was determined to be the result of fire hydrants being flushed out by the Water Department, said Mike Phillips of the city’s Water Quality Department. The hydrant water “picked up residual organic material” as it was being flushed through the system, and was not raw sewage, Phillips said.
Sewer station work progresses
City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Weekly Update to city staff on Nov. 7 that work was proceeding well on the recovery from the Oct. 29 sewage spill — which released nearly 600,000 gallons of raw effluent onto city streets and storm drains, closing a four-mile stretch of beach.
“Two pumps are fully operational and an emergency bypass remains in place until a third pump is placed into service,” Frank wrote. “The bypass pumps have been relocated to the bottom of Galen Drive, which will help with operations, traffic flow and odor reduction.
“The wet well doors near Glenneyre Street have also been sealed to mitigate odors. Construction activity to establish operation of the third pump will begin next week.”
Frank wrote in the update that plans for rehabilitating the lift station have been under development since April and construction bids will be solicited before the end of the month to complete improvements at the sewage facility.
City funds aluminum can recycling segment
The cities of Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa together helped underwrite an upcoming PBS “Curiosity Quest” television episode devoted to aluminum can recycling, Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Friday Update on Nov. 7.
