In a mere 15 minutes, about 80,000 gallons of feces, urine and laundry waste rushed into the Columbia River on Wednesday. The untreated sewage release occurred between 10:42 and 10:57 a.m. while a contractor was calibrating pumps at Vancouver’s Westside Wastewater Treatment facility. The release was initially believed to be closer to 100,000 gallons, but the city later revised the figure.
The first released 400,000 gallons into the river Oct. 5 after a power failure rendered the facility generators inoperable. This release was the first of its kind in the last 26 years.
The release is not related to the prior incident, said Loretta Callahan, Vancouver Public Information Officer.
In this instance, the spill occurred during a routine calibration of water level sensors in the holding tank, according to Larry Altose, Washington Department of Ecology Communications Manager. The tank receives incoming wastewater.
Altose said a more detailed report is due to the department within 30 days.
“We will review the information, with special interest in understanding what triggered the plant’s systems to bypass the treatment process and discharge untreated wastewater from the tank into the river,” Altose said.
The outcome of the regulator’s investigation could go a few ways. The city could be directed to make specific fixes or receive a notice of violation and be required to outline how to fix the problem. A fine is also a possibility.
The incident is also under investigation by the facility operator, CH2M.
The Oct. 5 spill is still being reviewed by the state Department of Ecology. Altose said a detailed report from the city is due Oct. 30.
“In that case, we will look for information (as to) why three levels of backup generation failed to provide adequate power to the treatment systems, and how the city plans to ensure the capability and reliability of its backup power supply,” he said.
The public should avoid contact with the river west of the facility at 2323 W. Mill Plain Blvd. for about 48 hours, officials said.
Fishing and other river recreation is included in the safety warning. Ingestion of the contaminated water could lead to illness.
“We believe the risk is low, but as a precaution, if you catch fish downstream of the sewage release, wash it with fresh potable water and cook it thoroughly before eating,” said Chuck Harman, Environmental Public Health program manager for Clark County Public Health in a press release.
A notice has been posted at Frenchman’s Bar, and Clark County Public Health has notified Kadow’s Marina.
Anyone who may have been contaminated can contact Clark County Public Health at 360-397-8428.
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