State Finds No Sign of Negligence in Spill

There is no evidence to indicate that a major spill of raw sewage into a Thousand Oaks creek over the weekend was caused by negligence on the part of the city, a state official said Thursday.

John Lewis, an environmental specialist with the state Regional Quality Control Board, said a preliminary investigation by the agency showed that aging pipelines were largely responsible for the spillage of about 800,000 gallons of effluent into the Arroyo Conejo Creek during the weekend.

A large piece of wood blocking a nearby pipeline built up pressure in a smaller, 25-year-old line, causing a crack that released sewage, Lewis said.

The state board is investigating the spill and can levy fines if it finds that the city was negligent. The board will issue a final report on the spill by the end of next week, Lewis said.