Polluted Stormwater Discharges in the Columbia Slough

Through regular review of agency files, tips and anonymous phone calls, and even our own water quality sampling and monitoring program, NEDC is regularly made aware of illegal industrial stormwater discharges. Through our industrial stormwater enforcement initiative, NEDC works to insure that corporate polluters throughout the region obtain necessary Clean Water Act permits and then comply with the terms of those permits. We also require the installation of appropriate filtration and treatment technology, and work with polluters to remedy the environmental harm caused by their illegal discharges.

The Columbia Slough has been a geographic focus of our work in recent years, given the dramatic water quality improvements that could result in the Slough if industrial tenants in the watershed took basic cost-effective measures to reduce pollutants in stormwater run-off.

This outfall drains industrial property in NE Portland owned by the Halton Company. NEDC staff and volunteers observed murky foul-smelling water flowing from this outfall each time they paddled by this rainy season. In fact, this is the same outfall described as pouring chocolate brown gasoline-smelling muck in the first paragraph of the Oregonian's in-depth story on NEDC last November. Samples analyzed by a local lab demonstrated that the murky water contained elevated levels of pollutants of concern.

The Halton Company has a reputation for being a well-managed and responsive business. After receiving a formal Clean Water Act citizen suit 60-day notice from NEDC, Halton took aggressive steps to reduce levels of pollutants in stormwater flowing off their property. NEDC is confident that during the upcoming winter season, we will be able to take photos from this same perspective showing clear-flowing stormwater rather than "chocolate brown gasoline-smelling muck".

The gradual and incremental transformation of the Columbia Slough from a heavily degraded dumping ground to a vibrant and healthy watershed is due in part to NEDC's persistent citizen enforcement of the Clean Water Act, and some unique partnerships with businesses located on the Slough.