Updated:
On August 25, 2016 the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board issued an Investigative Order to Address the City of Beaumont’s Sewer Plant (view and download below).
The Board Issued the Investigative Order after the City of Beaumont submitted Forged Documents Regarding Sewer Capacity and Usage.
The Sewer Plant is Over-Capacity and has no Federal NPDES Permit that allows Commercial and Industrial Businesses dumping into the Sewer Plant.
beaumontgate.org-Water-Quality-Control-Board-Investigative-Order
On April 19, 2016 the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board issued Notice of Violation Order no. R8-2016-0026 to the City of Beaumont for failure to Report that the City’s Sewer Plant is over 75% Capacity.
The Regional Board sent a Capacity Notification to the City on November 20, 2015, but the City never responded to the Board and never disclosed the Notice to Council or the Public. Download notification letter here (PDF).
The Notice of Violation states:
“we understand that the current capacity of the plant does not meet the current growth of the City and immediate repairs and maintenance are required at the Facility. By not addressing necessary repairs and maintenance and the lack of planning for adequate treatment capacity, the City also threatens to violate discharge prohibitions specified in Section III of the Order.”
“Monetary penalties pursuant to Water Code Section 13385 of up to $10,000 for each day of violation.”
On April 22, 2016 the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board directed their Staff to report on the condition of Beaumont’s sewer plant.
Beaumont also failed to produce Title 22 Compliant Recycled Water by December, 2015, as directed by California Water Quality Control Order R8-2015-0026: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/santaana/board_decisions/adopted_orders/orders/2015/R8-2015-0026_City_of_Beaumont_WWTP.pdf
The City of Beaumont has collected $70 Million in Mello Roos Bond Funds, Taxes, and Mitigation Fees to increase sewer capacity and build a recycled water facility, but the money was embezzled and the facilities were never built.
In Order R8-2015-0026 the City promised to complete the $70 Million Expansion including Brine Disposal by 2020, but the City’s own Report documents the City’s lack of a feasible plan and fails to include the costs: http://www.ci.beaumont.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/27307
Beaumont City Council recklessly continues to approve more Housing Developments knowing there is no sewer capacity, recycled water, fire stations, or adequate roads.
Developers continue to build houses in Beaumont because the City is illegally trading Mitigation Fees for Mello Roos Bond Funds to be paid by ‘future property owners’.