SACRAMENTO – The State Water Resources Control Board has approved the use of $10 million to help protect the state’s coastline and the public by improving aging sewer infrastructure at three California State Parks beaches.

Upgrading these sewer systems, through funds from the Clean Beaches Initiative Grant Program, will improve water quality and help protect beaches that are enjoyed by more than one million people annually.

The three parks designated for these funds include Doheny State Beach in Dana Point; El Capitán State Beach in Goleta; and Carpinteria State Beach, located 12 miles south of Santa Barbara.

The Clean Beaches Initiative has funded projects that have restored and protected water quality and the environment at coastal waters, estuaries, bays, and nearshore waters.

This program was created due to poor water quality and high levels of bacteria found at state beaches.

Studies have shown high bacteria levels to be associated with pathogens that can cause gastroenteritis, infections and respiratory illnesses.

The grant program has provided approximately $100 million to projects throughout California.

A total of four projects have been proposed at the three beaches. At Doheny the tasks include replacing an aging sewer main and line, rehabilitating a sewer lift station and relining 10,000 linear feet of sewer pipe.

At El Capitán the proposed project is to design and construct an on-site wastewater treatment facility to increase system capacity.

Carpinteria’s project will consist of replacing 60 recreational vehicle (RV) hookups and upgrading 5,000 linear feet of sewer pipe.

While the final costs for the four projects are not finalized, the State Water Board and California State Parks are committed to ensuring the $10 million in grants will address the highest priority water quality threats at the three state beaches.