Malibu’s new 15-acre central park opening Saturday is more than a green space it is also capable of treating about two million gallons of storm water runoff every day. Under the park is a system of pipes and filters that will remove trash, bacteria and metals from runoff water that has long contaminated Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon and Surf rider Beach.
The water will flow through a bio-filtering creek to a detention basin where sediment can settle. Next, the water flows to a treatment facility, where it will be filtered and disinfected with ozone. Finally, it will be pumped back to the park and used for irrigation.
The facility will increase Malibu’s ability to treat storm water ensuring compliance with bacteria limits set by the federal government. The city raised $25 million to buy the property in the center of town, then collected $13 million more to build the park.