REPORT: Priest River 'Sludge' Released Into The River - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

REPORT: Priest River 'Sludge' Released Into The River

Posted: Updated:

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE PRIEST RIVER CITY CLERK: On February 27, 2013, the city of Priest River released an unknown quantity of sludge from the city's wastewater treatment plant into the Pend Oreille River. 

The release was observed by the city's wastewater operator and lasted for at least 1.5 hours before it was stopped. Some samples were taken by the city during the release. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been contacted about this potential violation of the city's federal NPDES permit for the discharge of treated wastewater into the Pend Oreille River. 

A written report prepared by the city will be submitted to both agencies.  

The public is not at risk from this event and the city is taking further action to prevent this type of event from reoccurring.