State board fines Yucca Valley homeowners over missed septic to sewer deadlines
Garrett Hottle
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) The Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board voted Tuesday to impose administrative civil penalties on two Yucca Valley homeowners who did not meet the deadlines set by a 2024 cease-and-desist order requiring remaining properties to connect to the town’s sewer system. A third proposed fine was withdrawn after the board learned of significant financial hardship.
The decisions came during the board’s December meeting on Monday in Palm Desert, where enforcement staff emphasized that unconnected septic systems continue to pose a risk to groundwater.
The board unanimously approved a one-time $18,195 penalty for the first homeowner who appeared virtually.
Her daughter, representing her virtually at the meeting, testified that Kenedy lives on $2,015 a month and took out a personal loan to cover the roughly $5,000 to $6,000 cost of connecting to the sewer system. She now makes $250 monthly loan payments.
After hearing that information, board prosecutors withdrew the complaint entirely.
Prosecutors initially recommended a reduced $3,623.40 penalty for Nancy Ann Kenedy, who connected roughly four years after the state’s final compliance notice.
Kenedy told News Channel 3 she was relieved by the board’s decision.
“I don’t know how I was going to make it if they didn’t, but somehow I would’ve, I guess,” she said.
The board then considered Agenda Item 9, involving Pedro Luna, who did not attend the meeting and has not responded to outreach, according to enforcement staff. The board approved a one-time $18,195.40 penalty.
Board staff previously told News Channel 3 additional cases are expected at upcoming meetings as the state continues enforcing the 2024 cease-and-desist mandate requiring full conversion from septic to sewer in Yucca Valley.
You can view the full Dec. 2 meeting at this link.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026.