Cayucos Sanitary District Chevron Outfall Repurposing

The Cayucos Sanitary District (CSD) proposed to repurpose an existing Chevron Estero Marine Terminal offshore pipeline for use as a treated wastewater effluent outfall with discharge from a new tertiary Water Resource Recovery Facility that the CSD is constructing further inland. The proposed work is part of a larger project called the Cayucos Sustainable Water Project that ultimately seeks to achieve 100% reuse of the treated effluent produced by the CSWP. Surfrider opposed repurposing Chevron’s ocean outfall in Cayucos and instead urged Cayucos to find a way to recycle their water, find creative storage solutions or share an existing outfall with the City of Cambria. Surfrider was concerned the community may become dependent on this outfall, using it for other needs rather than planning for zero ocean outfall. Commissioner Mike Wilson addressed this concern by adding a special condition prohibiting any other uses for the outfall. Commissioners approved the project unanimously.

This is a great opportunity for Cayucos and neighboring communities to move forward with designing smart water plans that will make the best possible use of water supplies – instead of dumping it into the ocean.