DEQ Fines City of Coos Bay, July 8

News release from the Oregon DEQ. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined the city of Coos Bay $8,000 for discharging sewage sludge from the city’s wastewater treatment facility at 680 Ivy Street to Coos Bay. The violation took place in January 2016 when an operator left a pump running at the facility. The sludge overflowed onto the ground and into a nearby storm drain. Sewage sludge presents a potential public health threat through direct contact or consumption of shellfish contaminated by the sludge. The city contracts with OMI/CH2M to operate the facility. To avoid future spills, OMI/CH2M, are retraining staff. The city has until July 25 to appeal the penalty.