Public Works Continues to Monitor Pipe that Discharged Pollutant into River

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i February 25 2004 CONTACT: Jim McLaughlin, Stormwater Operations Manager, 729-4886 From Public Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 FOR IMME IATE RELEASE Publ c Works Continues to Monitor Pi a that Dischar ed Pollutant into River Eug ne Public Works crews continue to monitor a large stormwater outfall pipe that drains into t e Willamette River near the Greenway Bridge following an incident on Tuesday in which an oil like pollutant was discharged into the river. The outfall flow appeared to be cleared up by late T esday afternoon. Pubi c Works and Eugene Fire Department crews responded to a report of the discharge f around 12:3 p.m.Tuesday. Absorbent materials were placed around the outfall to absorb the poAutant, a d samples were taken to try and determine what the pollutant was. Bas don the smell at the outfall, the material was probably some form of petroleum product, pe haps a heavy diesel fuel. However, according to the Eugene Fire Department, the level of poll tant in the samples was too low to register on chemical tests or be specifically categorized The quantity of discharged pollutant is also unknown, although Public Works staff who haves en other discharges from this outfall described it as above the historical average. Thr e Public Works crews spent Tuesday afternoon trying to track down the source of the pollutan . Crews found no evidence of surface dumping, leading to speculation that there may be an Id underground source that periodically is triggered by a high water table or some other mech nism. Co plicating the investigation is the fact that the 90-inch-diameter Polk Street outfall drains a hu a area, including much of downtown and portions of east and south-central Eugene. "Thi is a piece in a very complex puzzle," said Jim McLaughlin, who supervises the Public Wor s Department's surface drainage operations. "Eventually all the pieces in the puzzle may come ogether. Until then, we're doing what we can to minimize environmental impacts." Po ions of Eugene's stormwater system date back to the 1950s and even earlier in older parts f the downtown. The city's wastewater and stormwater systems are separate. Wastewate is conveyed to the regional wastewater treatment facility for treatment before it is discharged into the Willamette River. Stormwater flows directly into the river and local streams. Publi Works • Administration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl Street + Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541 j682-5262 • FAX: (541) 682-6826 • www.ci.eugene.or.us