Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dec. 16, 1998

98-214

Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, (360) 407-6239

Sewer moratorium imposed on South Bend

OLYMPIA -- The wastewater treatment plant operated by South Bend is beyond its permitted design capacity and has prompted the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to place a moratorium on new sewer connections.

"Sewer moratoriums are useful tools that can help jump-start long-range planning for communities," said Keli McKay-Means, a water-quality manager for Ecology. "The Department of Ecology is eager to support South Bend by providing technical assistance and helping find funding to pay for improvements that add capacity to the system."

For the past several years, the treatment plant has chronically violated limits for fecal coliform bacteria, biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. During wet winter months, this pollution flows into the Willapa River.

The overloaded plant threatens water quality of the Willapa River, where shellfish, fisheries, tourism and other water-dependent resources rely on cold, clean, plentiful water. Ecology is currently conducting an extensive study of the Willapa River to protect water quality and guide economic development.

Ecology's administrative order to South Bend calls for:

No new sewer-service hookups until additional loading capacity is approved by Ecology.
A plan by March 31, 1999, to correct leaky sewer pipes that allow storm water and ground water to enter the system.
A facility plan that identifies potential wastewater system upgrades, due by Dec. 31, 2000.
A report of all overflows that have not been previously reported.