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i <br /> / J I. ~lt~~ ~/i 1 /i J//Tt~/i <br /> Public Works <br /> November 5, 996 Administration <br /> City of Eugene <br /> CONTACT: ave Breitenstein, Plant Manager, 984-8600 858 Pearl Street <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> (503) 687-5262 <br /> From Public I formation Section, 687-5523 <br /> FOR IMME IATE RELEASE <br /> ILLE AL DISCHARGE SUSPECTED IN WASTEWATER PLANT UPSET <br /> i <br /> Opera ions at the region's wastewater treatment plant are back to normal after a month- <br /> <br /> . long biologic 1 "upset"caused by chemicals from an illegal discharge. <br /> i <br /> j Plant perators at the Eugene-Springfield Water Pollution Control Facility first noticed <br /> I <br /> changes in th bacterial organisms used to treat wastewater in mid-September, and the adverse <br /> conditions c ntinued until mid-October. An extensive evaluation by staff indicated the likely <br /> I <br /> cause of the roblem was elevated levels of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene. These <br /> chemicals ar common ingredients in cleaning solvents and are used in manufacturing paints, <br /> ~ varnishes, a esives, plastics, and fiberglass. They are also used in the illegal manufacture of <br /> i <br /> methamphe ine. <br /> The pset did not result in any violations of the treatment plant's discharge permit, and <br /> there were n risks to public health or worker safety. An investigation is continuing into the <br /> source of th discharge. <br /> The ity of Eugene and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission are <br /> asking peop e to contact the wastewater facility at 984-8600 if they are aware of any illegal or <br /> harmful dis harges into the wastewater system or if they have any questions about what is <br /> appropriate ~to discharge into the system. <br /> i <br /> <br />