Myrtle Point, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Myrtle Point $1,650 for failing to report to DEQ a diversion of wastewater from the city’s treatment facility. The city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requires it to report such diversions, known as bypasses, within 24 hours. The city became aware of the bypass around 7 a.m. on March 12, 2016 and reported it to DEQ at 9:26 a.m. on March 15, 2016. The bypass had the potential to endanger human health and the environment. Without monitoring and reporting, DEQ is unable to evaluate how effective wastewater controls are in protecting water quality and public health. View the enforcement letter: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/010617myrtlepoint.pd… The city has until Jan. 23 to appeal the penalty.
