A case study of the abuse of science in sewage planning

A regional sewage system is under construction bordering southern Monterey Bay, California. It is replacing small treatment plants at Monterey, Seaside, Ford Ord, Marina and Salinas. The existing plants are mostly secondary, discharge no industrial wastes, and except for Salinas all discharge into the open ocean. The regional-system is the result of a zone of prohibition of waste discharge that was established in 1971. Justification for the zone was created by the Regional and State Water Boards several years after the zone was established. Our investigation of the evidence used to support the zone indicated that the water boards were clearly in error. The zone has been appealed through the Regional and State Boards and the courts. Over $100 000 000 (US) has already been spent on construction.