Sewage Spill In The Finley.

[RSBreth]

Wednesday's thunderstorms knocked out the power in a certain area of Ozark, but I didn't even think about the treatment plant over there going down. No back-up generator? I'm going to have to look into this.

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=282765

[Daveinozark]

Wednesday's thunderstorms knocked out the power in a certain area of Ozark, but I didn't even think about the treatment plant over there going down. No back-up generator? I'm going to have to look into this.

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=282765

i was debating on hitting the Finley or James for a bit this weekend. James it is.

there have been several 1hour or so power outages lately at my place in Ozark. Makes you wonder if this happens every time the power goes out. In this day and age, with all the environmental issues, it's totally unacceptable that a power outage causes a sewage spill.

mayorjackson@ozarkmissouri.org

shootin an email. concerned citizens should do the same

[atron]

Does anyone know where this took place exactly? Is it above or below the Ozark Mill Dam? If its below I assume there's not much we have to worry about if we fish above the mill?

[OzarksRiverman]

the sewage treatment plant is a little bit down river from the US 65 bridge.

[smallmouthjoe]

I believe the treatment facility is located about a mile down stream of the 65 bridge. So the water above the mill should be fine to fish and I have the feeling that the Finley may be a little deserted this summer.

[RSBreth]

The treatment facility is due South (across 14) from McDonalds along the Finley. Above the Mill Dam you'll be fine. Actually, with the amount of flow this time of year, that stuff is in the James by now. It'll be fine as far as the fish and wildlife go, but I wouldn't want to swim in it.

[Daveinozark]

The treatment facility is due South (across 14) from McDonalds along the Finley. Above the Mill Dam you'll be fine. Actually, with the amount of flow this time of year, that stuff is in the James by now. It'll be fine as far as the fish and wildlife go, but I wouldn't want to swim in it.

upper James it is then.....

[catman70]

For what it's worth: I'll be finishing my MSD in environmental engineering this year and I specialize in wastewater treatment. A quick look at Finley flow rates suggest it's pushing 78 cfs, which mans in a day it pushes over 8 million gallons. I think by today the water that was released has been significantly diluted. Furthermore, the primary concern with releasing untreated water is the solids content (will cause siltation) and the organic carbon or ammonia (which cause eutrophication, or reduction of dissolved oxygen, in the receiving body of water). The story suggested the water had already undergone primary treatment, and suggests even secondary and tertiary treatment as well. Disinfection is the very last stage and may plants don't disinfect at all. The vast majority of pathogens cannot survive outside conditions similar to the human body for more than a couple hours.

I'd say by this time you have nothing to worry about fishing anywhere on the Finley or James in terms of health safety. Of course, I understand the "ewwww" factor...

[Daveinozark]

For what it's worth: I'll be finishing my MSD in environmental engineering this year and I specialize in wastewater treatment. A quick look at Finley flow rates suggest it's pushing 78 cfs, which mans in a day it pushes over 8 million gallons. I think by today the water that was released has been significantly diluted. Furthermore, the primary concern with releasing untreated water is the solids content (will cause siltation) and the organic carbon or ammonia (which cause eutrophication, or reduction of dissolved oxygen, in the receiving body of water). The story suggested the water had already undergone primary treatment, and suggests even secondary and tertiary treatment as well. Disinfection is the very last stage and may plants don't disinfect at all. The vast majority of pathogens cannot survive outside conditions similar to the human body for more than a couple hours.

I'd say by this time you have nothing to worry about fishing anywhere on the Finley or James in terms of health safety. Of course, I understand the "ewwww" factor...

I just don't understand how a power outage causes this to happen. twice now. looks like they're in hot water for not reporting it right away too

[catman70]

The story isn't too detailed, but if the only stage that didn't occur was disinfection, than I'd say the power went out to the UV lights and the flow wasn't disinfected. Having to disinfect treated wastewater is a relatively new occurrence. I'd say the lights were probably only installed in the last 5 years. If pumps went out then there could be an overflow in the headworks, but this would mean that none of the water was treated. The story seemed to suggest that the water had gone through some level of treatment, so I don't think that's the case. Perhaps all flows are downhill until a certain point in the system, and the water backed-up and overflowed at that point. Without visiting the plant I couldn't say.

As far as the reporting goes, many plants discharge above their permitted limits a few times throughout the year – particularly after heavy rains. Not sure they have to report a spill immediately to a State agency unless it's ongoing. I think they just list it in their monthly report. There may be specific county or city regulations that require immediate disclosure.