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California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
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CSPA files petitions on five wastewater treatment plants, asks for their review

January 3, 2009 -- Saying, "CSPA must take action on these pollution sources to avert the increased poisoning of California's waterways," Executive Director Bill Jennings filed petitions on five wastewater treatment plants that are up for re-licensing.

A common thread in all of the plants is that the requirements in the new licensing is actually less stringent than the licenses the plants are currently operating on. The easing of requirements is in violation of the state's anti-backsliding laws and an increased threat to an already seriously polluted state water system, a system that is used for drinking, bathing and recreation as well as crop irrigation. 

A second common thread is the inadequate processing of waste including the lack of proper treatment of heavy metals and poorly designed mixing zones resulting in excessive toxicity. A number of studies are finding that the level of pollution in the state's waterways, in addition to being a threat to human health, is causing a decline in the state's fisheries due to toxic buildup in adult fish and in some cases, is being passed to their progeny during the spawning process.

The facilities in question are:

the California Department of General Services Central Heating Operations, Heating and Cooling Facility Wastewater Treatment Plant,

the Town of Discovery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant,

the El Dorado Irrigation District Deer Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant,

the City of Nevada City Wastewater Treatment Plant, and

the University of California, Davis, Main Campus Wastewater Treatment Plant.

CSPA will continue to pursue the re-licensing of these facilities to ensure that the final permits are in compliance with all of the state and federal regulations relating to their operation.