City Council To Consider Paying $600K+ in 2011 Blackout Settlements

The San Diego City Council is scheduled to consider tomorrow paying more than $600,000 to settle civil allegations of violations related to the failure of two sewage pump stations during the widespread blackout in September 2011.

After the electricity went out, about 2.6 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Sorrento Valley from one station and eventually flowed to Los Penasquitos Creek. Another 870,000 gallons spilled from the other station into the Sweetwater River.

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board later alleged state and federal violations, leading to the settlement which calls for payment of $622,707 to the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement account. The same amount would be stayed if the city completes certain tasks in the water agency's enforcement action.

The proposed settlement, if approved by the City Council and signed by Mayor Bob Filner, would then go to the regional water quality board for final approval.

The city has proposed purchasing backup power generators to prevent future blackout-related spills.

—City News Service