The City of Coos Bay’s Wastewater Treatment Plant I, located at 680 Ivy Avenue, experienced a chlorine residual permit exceedance. Chlorine is a common chemical in processing wastewater, and it is utilized to disinfect the treated effluent. After chlorine disinfection, additional chemicals are utilized to remove the chlorine prior to discharging the water into the bay. These chemicals are transported to the treated effluent via a series of pipes and valves. One of the valves failed; and as a result, the chemicals were not delivered, hence the chlorine was not removed from the effluent prior to being discharged to the bay. As a preventative measure, the operators are updating their inspection protocol and installing an alarm that will alert them of future valve failures. Also, the remaining valves that are in this system are being replaced just as a precaution. As of this morning, it was confirmed that the plant is back into conformance, and the effluent is meeting the water quality requirements. Any further questions can be directed to the City of Coos Bay Public Works Department at (541) 269-8918.
