Three years after the Hyperion sewage spill, LA has finally agreed to a $20 million settlement for critical upgrades. But while this is a positive step, ensuring Hyperion’s long-term viability and justice for affected communities, there’s still much more work left to do.

September 4, 2024

Ben Harris, Senior Staff Attorney for LA Waterkeeper

Three years after the massive sewage spill at LA's Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, the City of Los Angeles has finally agreed to invest over $20 million in critical upgrades as part of a settlement with federal authorities. 

This settlement follows an in-depth investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and federal prosecutors into the July 2021 spill, which highlighted serious deficiencies in staffing, training, and maintenance at the facility. 

LA Waterkeeper welcomes the EPA’s resolution of its enforcement action with the City of LA, which includes substantial investments in infrastructure and operational improvements aimed at preventing future catastrophes at Hyperion. But to ensure Hyperion’s long-term resilience and provide meaningful reparations and protections for communities impacted by the spill, more sustained commitment and further action are critical.

Beyond this EPA settlement, we are also calling for a swift resolution to the long-delayed $21 million penalty proposed by the LA Regional Water Board. Any such settlement must prioritize funding for enhanced compliance actions that will expedite the development of recycling infrastructure at Hyperion. Significant investments in local restoration projects in disadvantaged communities must also be made to remediate the harm caused by the 2021 spill. 

To ensure these demands are addressed, LA Waterkeeper is organizing to deliver NGO group comments at the upcoming Regional Board meeting on September 26.

For future updates on the Regional Board meeting and to stay informed about our ongoing pollution prevention and litigation efforts, please subscribe to our newsletter at the link below.