- Water contaminated by the implosion at the Nippon facility is being flushed through Longview’s ditch system to keep it away from homes and the city’s water supply, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.
- Crews are diluting the contaminated water by adding water from the Cowlitz River and fire hydrants until it can be safely discharged into the Columbia River.
- Officials are monitoring the pH level of the water and will stop any hazardous levels from flowing into the river.
- There is currently no concern that drinking water supplies have been impacted, but the longer the contaminated water remains in the ditch system, the greater the potential for it to contaminate the underlying aquifer.
Contaminated water from a tank that imploded at the Nippon facility is currently being flushed through Longview’s ditch system. This measure aims to prevent contamination of drinking water supplies, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.1
The implosion on Tuesday released white liquor into the environment, with the tank holding approximately 900,000 gallons and spilling up to 570,000 gallons into the surrounding area.
To mitigate the contamination, crews are diluting the water by adding water from the Cowlitz River and utilizing fire hydrants. This process is meant to reduce toxicity to a level suitable for safe discharge into the Columbia River.23
Monitoring efforts are in place at the Reynolds Pumping Station to check the pH levels of the water, ensuring that hazardous levels do not affect the river. Officials have reassured the public that there is no immediate concern regarding drinking water supplies, though they warned that the longer contaminated water lingers in the ditch system, the greater the risk of potential contamination to the underlying aquifer.456
As per expert guidance, continual oversight will be crucial in managing this situation safely, reflecting the commitment to environmental and public health while addressing the spill's impact.
The Washington Department of Ecology has been actively engaged in this incident, providing reassurances and ongoing updates regarding the hydraulic response efforts.
“Water contaminated by the implosion is being flushed to prevent contamination of homes and local water supplies. Crews are diluting it to ensure safety before discharge into the Columbia River.”
KATU
