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Home My Public Portal AboutReport on Sewer spillPAyETTE LAkES WATER ANd SEWER DISTRICT 201 JACOB STREET • McCALL, IDAHO 83638 • OFFICE (208) 634-4111 • FAX (208) 634-7613 October 2, 2000 Robert Strope Manager, City of McCall 216 E. Park Street McCall, Idaho 83638 Re: Report on Sewer Spill of July 2, 2000 Dear Mr. Strope; At the request of the Board of Directors of the Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District, the staff has prepared this report on the sewer spill into Big Payette Lake on July 2, 2000. We hope our response to this incident shows our concerns for maintaining a properly functioning collection system, and that our commitment to lake protection is substantial and proactive. A copy of the forthcoming Emergency Response Procedures protocol to be adopted by the Board will be available for review before the board meeting of October 27, 2000, should your agency be interested. Sincerely, Jamie Melbo, District Administrator Bill Burke, Operations Manager Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District Enclosure copy to: Jeff Lappin, Central District Health Idaho Division of Environmental Quality US EPA, Boise Mike Stewart, Long Valley Advocate Tom Grote, Star News Valley County Commissioners �caer� aCT,o� 5D Report on the Discharge of Untreated Sewage into Big Payette Lake on July 2, 2000 September 2000 prepared by Jamie Melbo District Administrator Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District Report on the Discharge of Untreated Sewage into Big Payette Lake on July 2, 2000 Table of Contents Incident 2 Response 2 Analysis 3 Follow -Up and Preventive Measures 3 Conclusion 4 Appendices Map- Site 5 Map- Area of Notification 6 Notice 7 Newspaper Articles (four) 8 Correspondence (four) 1? Lab Test Results 18 Incident At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2000, Ted Whiteman, District Manager, Dale Gaza and Bill Burke, Lead Operators, and Paul Bianchetti, Board Chair, responded to a call from Valley County Dispatch reporting untreated sewage being discharged from a manhole on the beach at the end of Lemonwood Street into Big Payette Lake. Ted and 13i11 arrived at the scene before 10:30, apprized the situation, immediately drove to the downstream lift station (LS =23) at the end of Ironwood Street, and manually activated the pumps. Ted returned to the manhole to verify that it had stopped overflowing, while Bill checked the wet well and monitored the pumps. As the level was reduced in the wet well. Bill was able to tree the redundant float, which belatedly activated the alarm and turned the pumps on. Dale and Paul arrived at the scene with a spare controller and power supply hoard. In replacing these components, several things were noted. The main controller readout was frozen at 1.98, which is a normal low level, pump -off reading. The power supply hoard was extremely hot when removed, and had visible hum spots on it. The redundant controller float, which should have activated a switch as the level rose in the wet well, had apparently heen lodged in solids that had built up. The failure of both main and redundant components meant neither the alarm system nor the pumps were activated, causing the levels to rise to within 6" of the top at the wet well. When the upstream lift station cycled on, the lowest point in the drainage, the manhole at Lemonwood, hack up and overflowed. Other responding agencies included McCall Police Department Officers, Valley County Sheriffs Marine Patrol, Ken Patterson of the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council, and Jeff Lappin of Central District Health. They were all concerned primarily with protecting public health. MPD Officers went door to door to alert residents in the area of the dangers of swimming or using water drawn from the lake for domestic purposes. The VCS Marine Patrol boat alerted swimmers, water skiers and boaters with a bullhorn. A floating boom designed to control oil spills was deployed around the area of the spill, functioning as a demarcation zone to alert boaters. Response The beach area was cleaned before being neutralized with biodegradable lime at least 100 feet in both directions of the spill site. Ted notified the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in Boise and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Seattle, Washington. He arranged for a public service announcement to be aired on KMCL-FM radio. The DEQ also issued public health advisories on Sunday afternoon, according to the Long Valley Advocate. Both advisories recommended no swimming in the area and a boil water order for residents drawing drinking water directly from the lake. Lake water samples were taken by Jeff Lappin, DEQ and PLWSD personnel. The local newspapers, Long Valley Advocate and Star News. were also notified. On NIonclav, July 3, District personnel prepared written notices which were posted at ever; residence in the area possibly affected by the spill. The wet well was cleaned with a pumper truck, and all functions of the lift station were checked periodically. which continued to operate normally in automatic mocle after the controller card was replaced. 13v Tuesday, July. DEQ had lifted their restrictions after samples collected on Monday confirmed that bacteria counts were hack to normal levels. Analysis District personnel were aware that a power outage had occurred the night before during a windstorm. Bill had responded to lift station alarms on both sides of the lake. McCall Police Deparunent Officer Lance Rogers reported that Idaho Power personnel had tried to restore service Page 2 to the line by pushing a fuse buck into the main feed five or six times, causing intense sparking. This occurred very near to lift station 23. In Ted's report to the hoard on the incident at the July 7, 2000 board meeting, he stated that in the opinion of all District personnel involved in the incident, the power spikes resulting from Idaho Power's actions caused a surge in the line which resulted in the failure of the power supply hoard to the controller. The failure of the redundant float was an unfortunate coincidence, having never failed before. Also at the July 7 meeting, the Directors discussed a "Spill Response Options" proposal prepared by Ted. It included the following recommendations: 1. Insure that adequate surge protection is provided for level controller components of every lift station. 2. Step up inspection procedure of all lift station wet wells in order to identify solids build- up. Remove solids if build-up is significant. Establish schedule for inspection. 3. Schedule a periodic exercise regimen for redundant controllers. 4. Continue to retain an adequate supply of spare parts components in inventory. 5. Install upgraded controllers any time operational issues arise in obsolete controllers. 6. Consider all suggestions to operational continuity at Board level. A subcommittee was appointed to study possibilities for upgrading all lift station controllers. Ted advised the Board that the manufacturer of the current controllers has become difficult to work with for providing replacement parts and support. Follow-up and Preventive Measures In the week following the spill, all wet wells in the collection system were inspected for solids build-up. (None others were found to be as clogged as LS =23, although three additional stations will he cleaned this year.) Weights for the float arms of the redundant controllers were purchased as a countermeasure to prevent future failures. As the weights were installed at every lift station this summer, redundant and alarm functions were tested and exercised. Normally, inspection and maintenance on lift station pedestals are performed ,yearly, on dry wells at least every six months, with visual inspection twice per week on normal rounds. and on wet wells on an as -needed basis with cleaning every three years. A revised schedule for inspection of wet wells and lift station control pedestals was implemented immediately. They will be inspected twice a year, once in late spring and again in the fall, at which time the redundant controllers will he exercised, and alarm systems and back-up functions will be tested; contactors and circuit hoard connections will he cleaned. Wet wells will he cleaned of solids as deemed necessary upon inspection. Dry wells will continue to be maintained twice a year, cleaning seal filters, exercising valves, and doing general pump maintenance procedures. At the Special :Meeting of the Board of Directors on July 28. 2000, the subcommittee studying controller upgrades recommended installation of new controllers and transducers with an uninterruptible power supply (CPS) for surge protection and battery hack -up. The Board approved purchasing a total of 31 state-of-the-art tililltronics Hydro -Rangers, with ultra -sonic transducers. and 31 APC Smart-420 CPS. These upgrades will hegin during the fall of 2000. and continue through the spring of 2001. replacing all existing controllers in 29 lift stations and leaving two in inventory (two lift stations in the system are currently equipped with the ylilltronics). Dale will attend training at the Milltronics facility in Texas this November. and all upgrades will he accomplished by District Operators. The District has budgeted S83.000 for FY 2001 to accomplish these upgrades. • In addition to implementing all six points presented by Ted in his 'Spill Response Options" memo. the Board of Directors has directed staff to prepare a written protocol for emergency response in the case of a .spill. which will he adopted at the October 27. 2000 hoard meeting. The Board will Pa:7e 3 consider a recommendation from Peter Johnson of the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council to have an annual third -party inspection done of the system. Posters outlining the emergency response protocol will be posted in the District's office. Posting emergency telephone numbers on visible components of the collection system will be explored. A letter to all District patrons to he included in the annual billing in January of 2001 will encourage their involvement as "watchdogs" over the collection system. A third collection system operator will be hired this fall. providing a more efficient team for maintenance and emergency response. Conclusion The Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District regrets that this incident has occurred. and will continue to pursue a proactive maintenance program and system upgrades in every effort to prevent a future occurrence. Personnel who operate and maintain the system are highly skilled, meet professional standards, and are"fully certified by the Idaho Board of Certification for Wastewater Operators. Bill Burke and Dale Gaza hold the highest certification possible based on the size of the District's system, a Class III Idaho Wastewater Collection System Operator Certificate. It is the intent of the District to continue to provide the hest collection system possible to protect the quality of Payette Lake and the health of its residents. Pave 4 APPENDICES APPENDICES ICJ 1'srETTE _AKE w /dr 1� a NEW WEACOwS ROAD q NAFFEN NAG.)14 /GAO ac, ua a r li Y - r� yI yraal s 4 » / \ / Q O E _J OGr` .0 1 a h n ///, UBLIC 49EACN i .\ n� d� J L. S. 24 65 mta 1Ai J map not to scale /; • G M //'r•alr u isiniii 1�- 0 . i1i9 nriil Q ill 1111q 11111112a 1 i �as't17111/ ill 2 o .r_, T'7 �1ii111 Um ovo0 .ill/1311_1� g, vtailll wt1IMarlit w.41-gr- °:11111:�1 IR IR ma uv 'Arm imI[1� L-la%3 N am1i1 s� .S. 23 1 S nErt J vt' .7 Ia ------------ f -i_ • a:.. d "3t1 �' z —,� r 3 roar: no A N WZ14I t a v J ?J - J i L �G j L. S 2z 3 -5- _J 4 Area of Notification 169 r YEW WOOD_ SZ LEMON 000 2 DRIFTWOOD •COTTO;WOOD St 925 nF-re ii 951 r 902 *Site PAYETTE tion #23 map not to scale NOTICE For your information, there was a sewer spill into Payette Lake on Sunday, July 2, 2000 of an indeterminate amount. Please be advised that if you utilize a surface water drinking source, you should either boil the water before using or do not use at all, for a period of three days, until July 5, 2000. Please be advised that water contact sports in the area of Payette Lake between Iron Wood Street and Yew Wood Street is not recommended for this same time period. Payette Lakes Water & Sewer District 208-634-4111 -7- The Star -News, July 6, 2000 Skvage spills into Payette Lake 2 detection systems failed, allowing backup BY TOM GROTE The star -Mews A clean bill of health was given on Wednesday to the area of Pay- ette Lake where between 3,000 and 4,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the lake on Sunday. Tests on water samples taken on Monday in the area on the west side of the lake about a mile north of Idaho 55 showed levels of con- taminants well below state water quality standards for swimming, a news release from the Idaho De- partment of Environmental Quality said. Residents who draw their drink- ing water out of the lake had been advised to boil their water since shortly after the spill was discov- ered, but that advisory also was lifted on Wednesday. However, residents who routinely drink un- treated water pumped directly from the lake were urged to take normal precautions to avoid get- ting sick, the DEQ release said. The spill was first reported about 10 a.m. Sunday when a gray plume of untreated sewage began spreading into the lake from a manhole on the beach at the end of Ironwood Street, said Ted Whiteman, manager of the Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District. Whiteman and operator Bill Burke quickly went to the site and manually switched on pumps that apparently had failed the night before, Whiteman said. The problem was located in one of 31 pumping stations the sewer district operates around Payette Lake. A power surge cause by a storm front on Saturday night ap- parently caused a failure in one of two systems designed to check ris- ing water in the stations, Whiteman said. Normally, a water -level indica- tor located near the pumping station activates the pumps when sewage reaches a certain level. However, the indicator did not ac- .:.." .� . ,.._. An alarm system is supposed to automatically alert sewer district operators if the water level goes above the indicator. However, the alarm did not go off because it did not receive a message from the level indicator that the water was ris- ing, Whiteman said. Even if the alarm fails, a pump activated by a float is supposed to turn on during rising water. How- ever, the float became encased in solid waste and did not work, al- lowing the sewage to fill the pipes between pumping stations and overflow into the lake, he said. Officers from the McCall Police Department and Malley County Sheriffs Office alerted residents near the spill site to not to drink the water or enter the lake for swim- ming or water skiing. Absorbent booms were obtained from the McCall Fire Protection District and deployed in the lake in an effort to contain the spill, but most ofthe waste freely mixed with the lake water, Whiteman said. The size of the spill likely was made worse by the fact many vaca- tion home owners aroluid the lake were in town for the independence Day weekend, Whiteman said. The extra flushing of toilets and run- ning of showers increased flows to double their normal summer lev- els, he said. By Monday, the solids had been cleaned from the Ironwood Street station and a new controller for the alarms and indicators had been installed. Also by Monday, the sewer dis- trict had a plan in place to prevent spills under the same circum- stances. More frequent inspections of pumping stations will be con- ducted, and the areas where the alarm systems are installed will be visually checked every month or so for build-ups of solids, he said. Before Sunday's spill, the dis- trict had made a routine of cleaning the solids from one-third of the system's pumping stations each year. The station where the spill occurred had been scheduled to be cleaned this year, he said. No penalties will be assessed on the sewer district as the result of the spill, said Joe King of the DEQ I Spy. • . (Continued from Pagel f office in Boise. "It was just an ut fortunate equipment failure," King said. Whiteman said the last spill into Payette Lake from a sewer district pumping station was about nine , years ago and led to the installs- t ion of many of the security devices now used. t -8- 'ayr-I ana/(e,l utoal t(lloonp aalsm 3ut -yuup nay; mrap wino\ sai;aadind µ, 1st; r. la3 pirtgl ay; mu patsa33ns os;r ;tauep •s;uaptsaa 3u!Xj!lot! 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Sulu main I„ Tour.; oslr tpums lurpunpaa ay; `;uopaut tuanod Xing ay; 3uunp'Xlatrunuotun •suopr;s tut auo-Xi -.ntu ay; ui sayaums turpunpaa ay; palirisui put; ,(atu Ipds;srtj asm-id alit log,. ;r.yu pms urutantim •II!ds luaaaa ay; Jo pins ur•wauyM paI aa3rur,tu asmid 3uto3;no „`saraX au;u ul aunt puoaas ay; sl sly1„ •Xepud ;sr.; 3upaaw X;tuuout .nay; ;r paaaplsuoa moil ay; suopdo xis Jo auo sum uot;epuatuwoaaa au, •sdwnd uopms wi ay; a;enpar, yoiym saalloa;uoo ay; 3u;prAdn lapis -uoa o; pappap Sey sal;snag •lo mot] Jau;sta camas pur auaXrd awl 'pualaam yunoy Xlnl• ay; aano Inds 03e\as all; olasuodsaa ui - "T1HD7W Ilamsoe 3lraRs satialiMs uolims apri.Sdn sueid QSM'Id atraonpd'(alleA 3uoi a4i 000z 'ZI ,tln('Arpsaumx\ Z1 PAGE S - THE STAR -NEWS - THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2000 District makes changes after spill BY COREY WICKS The Star -News The Payette Lakes Water and Sewer District board of directors on Friday announced plans to help prevent sewer spills like the one that happened on July 1, when a storm -related power surge led to a sewer spill into Payette Lake. Among the changes planned are: • Install a better system of surge protection that protects the pump- ing stations' control functions rather than just its power func- tions. Sewer district officials believe a power surge in the area by Idaho Power Co., which was trying to bring the power back on after a transmission line had snapped, knocked out the control system in the pumping station No. 23 on Iron- wood Street on the west side of the lake. • Stepping up inspection of wet wells to see if any solids have built up. The district cleans a third of the system each year. • Double checking the backup float system. In the July 1 spill a back up float in the well became. encased in solids and did not trip in order to start a generator. • Continue to maintain spare parts. • Develop a policy on contacting people in the area. The task of noti- fying people in the area of the July spill mainly fell on the shoulders of board member Carolyn Johnson. • Draw up a list of people around the lake who own wells, and those who draw water from the lake for drinking water. There were sev- eral people in the vicinity near the spill who have lines into the lake drawing drinking water, but the sewer district was unsure exactly where those lines were located. When district Manager Ted Whiteman arrived at the area of the spill on. Sunday, July 2, it was clear to him what was happening when he saw a manhole overflow- ing with raw sewage. Whiteman and sewer district workers immediately went to the pumping station and overrode the main system by starting the pumps manually. Tests showed elevated levels of contaminants in the area on July 2, but by July 3, the levels were safe for swimming. • "We did what I think we needed to and have taken the situation back to what it should be," Whiteman told the board. f -1 1 - BIG PAYETTE LAKE WATER QUALITY COUNCIL P. O. Box 1591, McCall, ID 83638; Tel: 208-634-5951; Fax: 208-634-7611 Payette Lake Water & Sewer District 201 Jacob Street McCall, ID 83638 July 5, 2000 Subject: July 2, 2000 Sewer Spill Southwest Shore of Big Payette Lake Gentlemen: This letter addresses the above subject. This sewer spill is an extremely serious matter. This single incident has contributed significant human waste and placed at risk the health of those who draw their drinking water from or recreate in Big Payette Lake. For a situation like this to occur, the physical apparatus, employee education, maintenance procedures, policies or other matters under control of the District are perhaps insufficient. An investigation must be conducted immediately by qualified experts to critically review the incident and make comprehensive recommendations on what actions are required to assure that this does not happen again. In addition, a member of the Water Quality Council visited the site the morning of July 2nd and found no apparent procedure in place that would pull all of the authorities into a coordinated program to: 1) warn cabin owners drawing drinking water from the Lake of the associated dangers and, 2) alert the McCall Memorial Hospital so they can be prepared to give advice and provide treatments as might be necessary. Subject incident calls for a complete review of these and related policies. The Uniformed County Sheriff and Coast Guard boats are to be complimented for being on site, controlling boat traffic and employing a boom to contain the spill. Pending completion of these inquiries, the District must rigorously enforce existing policies and procedures. We ask for the opportunity to review and make comments on the District's proposed new policies and procedures. Big Payette L Water Quality Council Cc: McCall City Council Valley County Commissioners Department of Environmental Quality Idaho Department of Lands Central District Health Members of BPLWQC -12- To Whom It May Concern: On the day of the spill, Ted Whiteman and myself responded to a call from Valley Co. Dispatch that sewage was running into the lake. I got the call from Ted approximately 10 a.m. We met at the shop and arrived at the manhole on the lake before 10:30. We immediately drove two blocks north to L.S.23 and manually turned the pumps on, checked the wet well, which was 6" from the top, and checked pump operation in the drywell. I asked Ted to run back over and make sure the manhole had stopped spilling, while I checked out the malfunctioning controllers, and monitored the pumps. He said he would also start notification of the surrounding area if the county officers had not already done so. Dale Caza called in about then, and asked if we needed any help. I asked him to bring a spare controller, and DC to DC circuit board. As the level dropped in the wet well, I went down and pulled up the redundant float, at which time it activated alarming the dialer, and turning both pumps on. It worked perfectly from this time on, and continuously until normal levels were restored. The main controller readout was frozen at 1.98, which is a normal pump off level. The DC to DC circuit board was extremely hot upon removal, and had visible burn spots on it. Dale and I installed the spare boards, checked their operation, and went to meet Ted and Paul Bianchetti who had arrived to help also. County officers told us they nad notified all houses for at least ten lots in each direction and were working there way towards Warren Wagon Rd. They declined our offer to help with spill booms with which they cordoned off the dock area, as they already had two boats and at least eight officers at the sight by this time. I cleaned up all visible signs of the spill by hand, while Dale picked up 100 lbs. of biodegradable lime, which we spread at least 100 ft. north and south of the spill sight. We inspected the .manholes north and south of the sight, while Ted put a notice out on the radio. We returned to L.S. 23 several times, checking operations. The redundant controller float was held in the upright position by solids underneath it, and various other things hanging from the cord. A voltage spike in our estimation hit the main controller, as I was out on a power outage on this side of the lake the night before the spill. Other spike related problems were reported nearby. This lift station was checked daily the remainder of the weekend. The first working day following the spill Dale met with a pumper truck at L.S. 23 and cleaned out the wet well, again checking operation of the redundant controller. Later in the week, I checked all 30 remaining wet wells, inspecting them for solids. We have ordered weights for the redundant floats, and begun installation down the west side, exercising alarm and redundant functions as we go. The weights should not allow the float to remain upright in a scenario like lift station 23's. Normally we inspect and perform maintenance on Lift Station Pedestals annually, Drywells at least every six months and usually more often, with visual inspection twice per week on normal rounds. Wet wells have been on an as needed basis with cleaning every three years after surrounding lines have been cleaned. We have changed our maintenance schedule as follows: Pedestals and Wet Wells in the spring, and fall of every year. This includes testing of all alarm and backup systems, cleaning contactors and circuit board connections, inspection of wells and floats, with cleaning if needed. Our drywells will continue on twice yearly maintenance with cleaning of seal filters, exercising valves, etc. The Board of Directors has tentatively given an O.K. to purchasing a number of new controllers and UPS or similar voltage conditioning equipment scheduled for installation in our most prominent stations for this fall. We have researched and chosen a particular brand of controllers and transducers, and are currently looking for the best, and most reliable form of voltage limiting to fit our needs. I fully expect to be installing this equipment by Oct. of this year. Bill Burke, Operations&Maintenance P.L.W.S.D. - 1 3- PUG-25-2000 08:58 MSCI 208 887 6691 P,02 Municipal Services Compajny, Inc. 5410 Silver Spur Boise, ID 83709 (208) 362-3593 AUGUST 25, 2000 PAYETTE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BILL BURKE DEAR BILL, P.O. Box 15405 Boise, ID 83715 (208) 562-8128 AFTER REVIEWING THE REPORT THAT YOU WROTE ON THE SPILL IN BIG PAYETTE LAKE ON JULY 2, 2000 AND LOOKING AT THE EXPOSURE THAT YOU HAVE ON THE LAKE, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS. YOUR RESPONSE WAS VERY TIMELY AND THE RESPONSE WAS APPROPRIATE. WE WOULD HOPE THAT THESE INCIDENTS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND FROM THE REPORT I READ, YOU HAVE TAKEN STEMS TO INSURE THAT 1T WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I. MY FIRST REACTION WAS REDUNDANT FLOATS THAT WOULD GIVE YOU AN ALARM 1F THE PRIMARY ALARM SYSTEM FAILED. YOU HAVE ALREADY INSTALLED THEM AND THE CHANCES OF BOTH FAILING IS SMALL. BUT IT HAPPENED. 2. MY SECOND WAS MORE FREQUENT CHECKS AND APPARRENTLY YOU HAVE ALREADY PUT THIS IN PLACE. 3. THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE LAKE HAS IMPROVED SO MUCH BY THE ADDITION OF 'THE SEWER AROUND THE LAKE THAT WE CANNOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE GOOD THAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS. IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH. IT MAY CBE GOOD TO CALL A MEETING OF ALL THOSE WHO LIVE AROUND THE LAKE TO ASSURE THEM OF THE STEPS YOU HAVE TAKEN AND EXPRESS TO THEM YOUR APPRECIATION OF THEM WATCHING AND REPORTING WHAT THEY SEE. -14- AUG-25-2000 08:58 rsCI 208 887 6691 P.03 '!. 1 1 JV V t Ws" Ll.11li Ji V V !lilkL' lltl • L' vl lilliJ lJ'I • 1'/VA i V YIP L' A SUPPLY AND YOU ARE TAKING STEPS TO ALLEVIATE THAT BUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR SOURCE AND A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THOSE SPIKES FROM THE POWER SUPPLIER WOOL D BE APPROPRIATE. 5. IN THE NEAR FUTURE THE NEW RULES FOIL COLLECTION SYSTEMS CALLED, CMOM, ARE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED. THIS WILL REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF SEVERAL AGENCIES AS IDENTIFIED_ YOU MAY WANT TO IMPLEMENT THESE NEW REGULATIONS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. 6. I FELT YOUR RESPONSE AND THE RESPONSE SINCE THE SPILL WAS VERY GOOD. IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL. SINCERELY VICTOR COLES TOTAL P.03 -15- vtIUB� August 23, 2000 Payette Lakes Water It Sewer District 201 Jacob McCall, ID 83638 RE: Letter Concerning Sewer Spill from Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council Dear Sirs: J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. ENGINEERS • SURVEYORS • PLANNERS 250 South Beechwood Avenue, Suite 201 Boise, Idaho 83709-0944 208-378-7330 FAX: 208-323-9338 NE 2 5 2000 i We have been requested to respond to the issues raised in the above -referenced letter. We concur that the spill is a serious matter and, from our observations, the PLWEtSD has treated it as such. The degree of health risk to which the public at large and those who draw drinking water from the lake have been subjected to is somewhat quantifiable, based on water samples taken at the site. It appears that these samples indicate health risk was low. The response to the spill by all agencies certainly contributed to lowering the health risk even further. The most shocking aspect of the information provided in the subject letter is that residents are still utilizing Big Payette Lake water as an untreated potable water source. It was our expectation that the public health agencies would be expending a concerted effort to identify acceptable alternative sources of water or acceptable treatment systems for the lake water. Certainly, any acceptable treatment system would be capable of providing safe water, even in the event of a sewage spill similar to what occurred. The speculation that "for a situation like this to occur, the physical apparatus, employee education, maintenance procedures, policies or other matters under control of the district are ?erhaps insufficient", is unwarranted. The analysis of the spill event, its causes, and changes necessary to reduce the potential for the event occurring again have been well defined in Bill Burkes' memo. We do not see this event as a justification for an "investigation". Certainly it may be reason for the District Board to define the degree of reliability for the collection system and lift stations owned by the district in relationship to the cost to provide that level of reliability. We know that in today's society, even with tremendous redundancy and cost, primary power supplies still fail, airplanes crash with great loss of life and nuclear power plants still fail. The performance of the Payette Lakes Water Et Sewer District system, including its personnel has been admirable. To our knowledge, two events have occurred over the last 15 years of operation. Even with great expenditures for equipment and personnel, there are "no" assurances that another spill event will not occur. All mechanical and electrical components are subject to failure at some point during their service life. The concern that there is no process to inform the public of a spill is certainly something that should be considered. Established emergency information procedures identified by State, County and City should be investigated to determine which ones provide the best notification methods. Engineers Surveyors Planners Payette Lakes Water ai Sewer District August 23, 2000 Page 2 We would suggest that the PLW&SD consult with McCall Memorial Hospital and the District Health Department to obtain information that they can include in their next billing mailed to the residents who use lake water as a drinking water source to warn them of the dangers of water borne diseases, their symptoms and available treatment. This should be accomplished at the beginning of each summer season. We agree that the District should vigorously enforce its existing policies and incorporate Mr. Burke's recommendations. While the PLWa:tSD should always seek input and strive to cooperate with all agencies, it is our opinion that the efforts of the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council would be better served by taking a proactive role in providing the residents around the lake a secure and reliable drinking water source. This could be accompiished by identifying acceptable onsite water treatment systems that residents could utilize or by facilitating the establishment of centralized treatment systems that could provide water treatment. It is our opinion that the continued culinary use of untreated water from the take is a far greater health risk than the spill incident. J-U-B, as always, will be available to assist the PLWELSD in any manner they deem appropriate. Sincerely, J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. Kirby D. Vickers, P.E. Executive Vice President KDV:gar U:\kdv\plwissd ttr 8.23.00 -17- ended Page 1.2 211111111M State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENVIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDHD BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2573/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: WATER 1734 CRESTWOOD Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:02 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE FIELD on any Communications) Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 OFFICE TEST CODE EQT EQM EMFC TOTAL COLIFORM E. COLI FECAL COLIFORM (STORET # 31616) RESULTS 520 /100 mi. 26 /100 ml. < 5 /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENvIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDHD BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2572/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: WATER 910 YEWWOOD Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:15 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE on any communications) Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 FIELD OFFICE TEST CODE EQT EQM EMFC TOTAL COLIFORM E. COLI FECAL COLIFORM (STORET # 31616) RESULTS a2,400 /100 ml. 870 /100 ml. 30 EST. /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 -19- JUL- 6-00 TNU I0:11 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX NO. 2083342382 P.02 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories • Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENvIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDED BOX 1448 MCCALL, in 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2574/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: WATER 1672 FOREST LAWN Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Dace Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:20 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE on any communications) Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 FIELD OFFICE TEST CODE EQT EQM EMFC TOTAL COLIFORM E. COLI FECAL COLIFORM (STORET # 31615) RESIILTS 1100 /100 ml. 49 /100 ml. 100 EST. /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 -20- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:11 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX NO. 2083342382 P. 03 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENVIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDHD BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number; 40700-2575/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: Nlaaber WATER 903 FOREST LAWN Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:30 on any communications) Date Received in Time Received in Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE FIELD OFFICE Lab: Lab: 07/03/00 14:00 TEST • CODE EQT EQM EMFC TOTAL COLIFORM E. COLT FECAL COLIFORM (STORET ## 31616 ). RESULTS 22,400 /100 ml. 22,400 /100 ml. 540 /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 -21- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:12 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX NO. 2083342382 N. U4 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of zaboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENVIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDHD BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2576/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number on Storet NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: WATER 918 FERWOOD/SPILL #2 Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:45 any communications) Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE FIELD OFFICE TEST CODE EQT EQM EMFC TOTAL COLIFORM E. COLS FECAL COLIFORM (STORET # 31616) RESULTS 2,400 /100 ml. 370 /100 ml. 40 EST. /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/Woo 07/05/00 07/o5/o0 -22- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:13 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX HO. 208334238e- P.05 State of Idaho, Department of Sealt h and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratery 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENVIROMMINTkL/RSCRI►TIONAL SUMS REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDED BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2577/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: on any communications) WATER icum's EDGE/1552 WARREN WGN Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 15:55 Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE FIELD OFFICE TEST CODS EQT TOTAL COLIFORM EQM B. COLI EMFC FECAL COLIFORM (STORET # 31616) RESULTS 2,400 /100 ml. 16 /100 ml. 5 BST. /100 ml. COMPLBTBD 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 JUL- 8-00 THU 10:14 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX HO. 2083342382 P. 08 State of Idaho, Department of Xealtb and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 ENVIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey JEFF LAPPIN CDHD BOX 1448 MCCALL, ID 83638 Tracking Number: 40700-2578/ (Please Refer to this Tracking NUMber Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: TARTER 1504 WARREN WAGON Grab Lake - L LAPPIN Not Given Date Collected: 07/02/00 Time Collected: 16:05 on any communications) Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 14:00 Copy Sent To: DEQ, BOISE FIELD OFFICE TEST CODS BQT TOTAL COLIFORM BQM B. COLI EMFC FECAL COL:FORM (STORBT # 31616) RESULTS 2,400 /100 ml. 14 /100 ml. 6 BST. /100 ml. cOMPLBTEA 07/05/00 07/05/00 07/05/00 -24- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:14 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX NO. 2083342382 P. ' State of Idaho, Department of Nealth and Welfare• Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 EmVIitOMENTAL/RECREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey DEQ BOISE REG. OFFICE CRAIG SHSPARD 1445 N. ORCHARD BOISE, ID 83706 Tracking Number: (Please Refer to Grant/Project: 40700-2587/ this Tracking Number on any communications) Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken Prom: Collected by: Preservation: 8401 State Water Quality WATER 928 FBRNWOOD Surface Lake - L SHEPARD Cooled, 4° C Date Collected: 07/03/00 Time Collected: 12:12 Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 16:00 TEST CODE EQT TOTAL COLIFORM BQM E. COLI RESULTS 1600 /100 ml. 23 /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 JUL- 6-00 THU 10:15 BUR OF LTORIBS FAX NO. 2083342382 P.08 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory ENVIRONMENTAL/RECREATIONALOlREtiary , Boise, Idaho AMPLE REPORT8371REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey DBQ BOISE REG. OFFICE CRAIG SHEPARD 1445 N. ORCHARD BOISE, ID 83706 Tracking Number: 40700-2588/ (Please Refer to this Tracking Number on any communications) Grant/Project: Storet: NPDBS Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: 8401 State Water Quality WATER YEWWOOD Surface Lake - L SHEPARD Cooled, 4° C Date Collected: 07/03/00 Time Collected: 12:22 Date Received in Lab: in Lab. Time Received 07/03/00 16:00 TEST CODE BQT TOTAL COLIFORM EQM E. COLI RESULTS 240 /100 ml. 3 /100 ml. COKPLETED 07/05/o0 07/05/00 -26- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:16 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX NO. 2083342382 P. 9 State of Idaho, Deportment of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 zwaRONKS TrEL/BECRENTIONAL SEMPLB REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey DBQ BOISE REG. OFFICE CRAIG SHEPARD 1445 N. ORCHARD BOISE, ID 83706 Tracking umber: (Please Refer to Grant/Project: 40700-2589/ this Tracking Number on any communications) Storet: NPDBS Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: 8401 State Water Quality WATER 1672 FOREST LAWN Surface Lake - L SHEPARD Cooled, 4° C Date Collected: 07/03/00 Time Collected: 12:30 Date Received in Lab: 07/03/00 Time Received in Lab: 16:00 TEST CODE BQT TOTAL COLIFORM EQM B. COLI RESULTS 63 /100 ma. 0 /100 ma. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 -27- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:16 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX WI 2083342382 P.10 State of Idaho, Department of Realth and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories - Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 53712 ENvIRONME ITAL/RECRERTI0NAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey DEQ BOISE REG. OFFICE CRAIG SHEPARD 1445 N. ORCHARD BOISE, ID 83706 Tracking Maribor: (Please Refer to Grant/Project: 40700-2590/ this Tracking Number on any communications) Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: 8401 State Water Quality WATER 1734 CRESCENT Surface Lake - L SHEPARD Cooled, 4° C Date Collected: 07/03/00 Time Collected: 12:36 Date Received Time Received in Lab: 07/03/00 in Lab: 16:00 TEST CODE 3QT TOTAL COLIFORM EQM E. COL/ RESULTS 130 /100 ml. 9 /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 -28- JUL- 6-00 THU 10:17 BUR OF LABORATORIES FAX HO. 206342382 State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Laboratories- Boise Laboratory 2220 Old Penitentiary road, Boise, Idabo 83712 BNYIRONEEWTAL/BWREATIONAL SAMPLE REPORT LAB: BOISE, Phone: (208) 334-2235 Section Manager, Bacteriology: Robert Chehey DEQ BOISE REG. OFFICE CRAIG SHEPARD 1445 N. ORCHARD BOISE, ID 83706 Tracking Number: (Please Refer to Grant/Project: 40700-2591/ this Tracking Number on any communications) Storet: NPDES Number: Matrix: Sample Location: Type of Sample: Sample Taken From: Collected by: Preservation: 8401 State Water Quality WATER 1900 WARREN WAGON Surface Lake - L SHEPARD Cooled, 4° C Date Collected: 07/03/00 Time Collected: 12:54 Date Time Received Received in Lab: 07/03/00 in Lab. 16:00 TEST CODE EQT TOTAL COLIFORM EQM E. COLI RESULTS 390 /100 ml. 4 /100 ml. COMPLETED 07/05/00 07/05/00 -29-