Due to a large storm event late last night, approximately 125,000 gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged into the South Santiam River this morning, and the wastewater treatment plant has been operating on emergency backup power due to power outage that started at 10 p.m.
The plant is still operating on backup generators, but the City has the sewage situation under control. The public should avoid contact in the South Santiam River downstream of the treatment plant for the next several days.
The city is in contact with DEQ and will be sampling up and down stream for bacterial analysis to identify when levels are back to within an acceptable range. The city will make an announcement when it is safe to resume activities on the river.
For questions, contact Ron Whitlatch at (541) 258-4269.