West Salem freshwater levels back to normal after sewer pipes broke – Salem Reporter

West Salem’s Waterways Recovering After Sewage Spill

West Salem’s creeks and streams have returned to normal bacteria levels less than a week after two pipelines failed, resulting in the diversion of raw sewage into waterways and fields to prevent flooding in Salem streets and homes.

Monitoring and Repair Efforts

The city of Salem has been closely monitoring the pipes and testing the water since repairs were completed and sewer service was restored on December 28th. Crews have been inspecting manhole locations and testing samples from various water bodies, including Glen Creek, River Bend Slough, and the Willamette River.

Environmental Concerns

The state Department of Environmental Quality has requested that the city monitor areas affected by the sewage spill, remove large debris such as plastics, and address concerns from property owners regarding farmland contamination.

Water Quality

According to city spokeswoman Kathy Ursprung, all water samples taken from the affected water bodies were below the safety threshold of 406 E. coli organisms per 100 milliliters. This indicates that the waters were not impacted by bacteria and are safe for human contact.

Repair Costs and Timeline

Information regarding the city’s cost of repairs, testing, and management since the pipe failure is not immediately available, according to Ursprung. The main pipeline transporting wastewater from West Salem to the Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant broke on December 26th, followed by the failure of a secondary line on December 27th. Sewer service was disrupted for approximately 34,000 people.

Crews worked tirelessly to repair the damaged pipelines, diverting wastewater to fields on the east side of Northwest Wallace Road. Signs were posted to warn people to avoid contact with the contaminated water. The repairs were completed on December 28th, and people are no longer advised to avoid the waterways.

Impact on Wallace Marine Park

The sewage spill reached parts of Wallace Marine Park, where homeless encampments are common. The city provided outreach services to inform and engage with individuals in the affected area. Local service providers also shared information to ensure the safety of the homeless population.

Correction: The wastewater was diverted to fields on the east side of Northwest Wallace Road, not the west side. We apologize for the error.

Previous Coverage

1. City restores full sewer service to West Salem after two days of restrictions
2. Fix on second sewer pipe progressing, city expects to restore West Salem service Sunday
3. All-night work repairs one sewer pipe as city sets to restore West Salem service
4. City plans to fix West Salem sewer main early Saturday as raw sewage spills into Willamette River

Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   The article discusses the issue of raw sewage being diverted into waterways and fields in West Salem due to pipeline failures. This directly relates to SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The article also mentions the disruption of sewer service to about 34,000 people, highlighting the importance of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Additionally, the article mentions the need to remove large debris such as plastics and address concerns about farmland where sewage spilled, which aligns with SDG 12’s target of promoting sustainable consumption and production.

2. Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content:

   • SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

   The targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed in the article. They highlight the need to improve water quality, reduce environmental impact in cities, and achieve environmentally sound waste management.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article:

   • Indicator for SDG 6.3: E. coli organisms per 100 milliliters of water.

   The article mentions that freshwater with a sample showing over 406 E. coli organisms per 100 milliliters is considered unsafe for human contact. This indicates that E. coli organisms can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards improving water quality.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: salemreporter.com