Water agency hit with $350k fine

Days after repairing a sewage leak on Sonoma Creek in Glen Ellen, the Sonoma County Water Agency received more noxious news – a state fine of $348,400.

The ruling, which was issued before the Madrone Road Bridge spill, charges the local agency with 37 sewer overflows totaling 930,077 gallons of raw waste. The violations took place over a three-year period ending January 31.
The agency must reply to the complaint by August 16. Supervisor Valerie Brown is not happy about where that money will come from.

 “Every penny of District rate payer’s dollars should be spent on continuing to replace our sewer collection system, not sending it to Sacramento in the form of a fine,” said Brown. As chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, she also heads the Water Agency’s board of directors.

“The District has recognized from day one that its aging sewer collection system must be repaired and that is why in 2002 we developed and implemented a capital improvements plan,” Brown said.