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MWSD Statement on Preliminary Ruling ~ Half Moon Bay Must Pay Its Share of Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside Costs

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For Immediate Release: January 19, 2022

Press Contact: Clemens Heldmaier

Cell (650) 766-6982

 

Montara Water and Sanitary District Statement on Preliminary Ruling:

Court Supports Montara Water & Sanitary District, Granada Community Services District; City of Half Moon Bay Must Pay Its Share of Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside Costs

  

Montara, CA – On Friday, January 14, 2022, the Santa Clara County Superior Court issued a preliminary ruling supporting Montara Water & Sanitary District (MWSD) and Granada Community Services District’s motions against the City of Half Moon Bay’s frivolous 2017 lawsuit. Half Moon Bay (HMB) has spent almost five years attempting to renege on the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) contract and shift its financial obligations onto its northern neighbors. When this ruling becomes final, it will be clear that the City of Half Moon Bay has always been and will continue to be obligated to pay its fair share.

 

The SAM agency was formed in 1976 under a Joint Exercise of Powers Authority (JPA) contract between GCSD, HMB, and MWSD, and is tasked with protecting public health and our beautiful coastal environment. The court affirms that the JPA contract is clear.

In order to serve all three communities, the partners of SAM chose to construct, own, and operate wastewater infrastructure, including the Intertie Pipeline System (IPS) and a single consolidated treatment plant. The IPS conveys wastewater from Montara and Granada (including a portion of the City of Half Moon Bay inside Granada’s boundary) to SAM’s Treatment Plant in Half Moon Bay. During heavy rain events, when increased wastewater flows can overwhelm the treatment plant, the IPS provides essential storage capacity to prevent releases of untreated sewage into the ocean.

For more than 45 years, SAM has operated and maintained constantly aging infrastructure. Throughout the years, we have seen the benefit of three agencies working together to share staffing, maintenance, and repair costs.

 

In 2017, the City of Half Moon Bay abruptly sued in an attempt get out of paying its share of the millions needed to maintain and repair the IPS, disregarding 45 years of financial partnership and the clear contractual language of the JPA. This action would have doubled costs for Granada, Princeton, and Montara/Moss Beach.

 

MWSD and GCSD have stood firm throughout these last five years – all JPA parties must pay their fair share to operate and maintain the system. Should the preliminary ruling prevail, the Districts are poised to move forward on critical repairs needed to protect our coastline.

 

“For decades, MWSD, GCSD, and Half Moon Bay jointly carried financial responsibility for, and cared for this crucial wastewater system. Half Moon Bay’s ploy has cost us five years of squandered time, money, progress, and trust. It is time to get back to work, together as partners, to operate and care for the wastewater system the entire Coastside relies upon. The City’s 2017 deeply flawed lawsuit undermined key working relationships and wasted millions. Let’s get back to work, together,” said MWSD Board President Scott Boyd.

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Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) works every day to deliver water, garbage, and sewer services for the residents of Montara and Moss Beach. Over 6,000 residents rely on our services for their homes and businesses.

 

More on Coastside Water and Sewer on Coastside Buzz

 

Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:30pm

Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.

 

Agendas and Zoom Live Meeting Links

If you experience technical difficulties or have technical questions prior to or during the meeting, please contact MWSD’s IT support at (650) 728-7843.

Meeting Videos

 

Meeting Schedule:

Regular meetings are 7:30pm on the first and third Thursday of each month. They used to held at the District office at 8888 Cabrillo Hwy, next to Pt Montara Lighthouse and Hostel.

To receive agendas by email, send a request to [email protected]

In addition to email, we post agendas before each board meeting:

  • On the District website here
  • Montara post office
  • Moss Beach post office
  • the bulletin board in front of the MWSD office

 

Who is on the Board of Directors?

DIRECTOR TERM
Kathryn Slater-Carter — President Term 2016-2020
Jim Harvey — President Pro Tem Term 2018-2022
Ric Lohman — Secretary Term 2018-2022
Peter Dekker — Treasurer Term 2019-2020
Scott Boyd — Director Term 2016-2020

 

Services

Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) – MWSD is a member of SAM, the agency that collects and cleans our Coastside community’s wastewater before it enters the ocean. SAM meets monthly on the 4th Monday at 7:30pm. Jim Harvey and Scott Boyd presently serve as SAM board members.

Recology of the Coast – MWSD has contracted with Recology of the Coast for trash pickup, recycling, and waste hauling.

Visit County Solid Waste Department for more information about recycling, composting, etc.

 

In an Emergency

Water Emergencies: Call MWSD at (650) 728-3545

Sewer Emergencies: Call SAM at (650) 726-0124

For emergencies that affect life, health or safety:  Dial 911

 

Contact Us

  • 8888 Cabrillo Hwy
    Montara, California 94037
  • Office Hours:
    8:30AM to 5PM Mon-Fri
  • (650) 728-3545
  • [email protected]

Note: Public participation is not permitted during closed session discussion items.

 

MSWD General Manager Clemens Heldmaier showing a creek filtration system.

 

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