Less than Half of City Septic Systems Inspected as Deadline Looms

Only a third of Calabasas' septic systems have been inspected by the city as the Friday deadline to have them checked out draws near, according to a presentation by a city planner.

The Calabasas City Council passed an ordinance last August stipulating that all 142 privately owned septic systems in town must be inspected in order for the city to know which ones are failing and require repair.

Seventeen of the systems inspected so far are failing, according to an April 28 presentation by Sparky Cohen, a senior planner with the city.

Failing septic systems could be those that are clogged and leaking discharge into streets, creeks and water tables, polluting them.

Cohen's presentation was filled with pictures of failing septic systems.

"[This ordinance] has proven to be a very important ordinance because of the things we've been finding since we've been doing the inspections," said Councilman Jonathan Wolfson.

The septic systems of four homeowners passed the inspection so far, according to Cohen's presentation.

Those individuals were given five-year operating permits, meaning their next mandatory inspection isn't due for another five years.

Nine residents have been issued conditional permits as of April 28, meaning their septic systems are not in perfect condition and will have shorter intervals between mandatory inspections, according to Cohen's presentation.

Cohen said he thinks he knows why so many have yet to complete the inspection.

"I'm sure people are very concerned about the cost," he said.

The price tag for a septic system inspection ranges from $350 to $500 and if repairs are needed, that's more money a homeowner is going to have to shell out.

But those who are worried about the inspection's cost can apply for a grant organized by the city.

In order to be eligible for the grant, available on the city's Web site, a homeowner's gross annual income for 2008 must have been below 80 percent of Los Angeles County's median income, which is $55,452.

And those who need a little more time in general to have the inspection done can fill out an extension application that's also available on the city's Web site.

So far, 10 extensions have been requested and approved. For those applying for an extension, Nov. 14 is the last day to have an inspection done.

For more information about the septic system inspections and how to schedule one, click here.