The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Reedsport $3,600 for failing to report violations of its wastewater permit to DEQ within 24 hours. The city failed to notify DEQ within 24 hours after it exceeded its E. coli bacteria limits for its sewer treatment facility at 185 W. Railroad Ave. The violations took place on Aug. 18, 2015 and Aug. 23, 2015. DEQ also cited the city without penalty for violating the E. coli limits in its permit and for not notifying DEQ when it modified its treatment plant’s chlorine disinfection system in 2013. DEQ is requiring the city to update its operation and maintenance manual and improve its disinfection system. DEQ’s permits include pollutant limits and mandatory reporting and monitoring to protect aquatic life and human health. Without timely reporting, DEQ and the public are unable to take steps to mitigate possible public health hazards associated with improperly disinfected wastewater. Reedsport has until May 10 to appeal the penalty.
