A $1 million award from the Coastal Conservancy will pay for treating storm water runoff that otherwise would flow into the ocean by way of the polluted Malibu Lagoon, it was announced recently.

"Improving water quality in the Malibu Creek Watershed and Surfrider Beach is a top priority of our city," said Malibu Mayor Ken Kearsley.

Solid trash will be screened from runoff in three storm drains around the Civic Center, and the liquid will be pumped to a treatment facility before being put in Malibu Creek.

"Trash, pathogens and other pollution that flow through storm drains contribute to unhealthy water that kills wildlife and makes beaches unsafe for swimming," said state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, a legislative representative to the Coastal Conservancy's board.

Surfrider Beach, at the mouth of the creek and its lagoon, regularly gets an "F" from Heal the Bay, which grades water quality based on county sampling.

The city of Malibu, incorporated in 1991, has no centralized sewage treatment system. Most residents have septic tanks.

Source: EPA