Siuslaw River Coliform Testing Results

Wastewater Pathogens Table

"The plant bypasses are noted on operating records; however, accurate estimates of bypass volume are often not possible because they usually occur when the capacity of the effluent flow meter is exceeded." Existing Water Treatment Plant Assessment, Brown & Caldwell, City of Florence, December 1996.

"Entries in the treatment plant operator's log indicate that not all bypasses that occurred have been reported." Declaration of Jack D. Smith, Ph.D., Filed in U.S. District Court 8/14/98. See Excerpts.

* Total amount of sewage or total duration of spill unknown.
Note: Spills from Rhododendron are usually partially treated sewage. Spills from other locations are untreated raw sewage.

Wastewater Pathogens

Sources: Joseph A. Salvato, Environmental Engineering and Sanitation,
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

 
 

"If not removed or destroyed during the wastewater treatment process, wastewater pathogens can survive for extended periods in water -- possibly long enough to enter the drinking water system of a neighboring community or residence. This chart gives some idea of how long certain bacteria and viruses can survive. Survival times are influenced by soil type, temperature, pH, and other variables."

"Poorly treated effluent from wastewater systems discharged into rivers and lakes can also be a direct health hazard to swimmers and water skiers and threaten commercial fishing. It can even cause the degradation or even death of bodies of water that become overloaded with nutrients. For these reasons, it is essential to properly treat and dispose of our wastewater."