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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2018)
2A ܂ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 ܂ APPEAL TRIBUNE Tainted Continued from Page 1A “we had good results for many days fol- lowing” the first evidence of the bloom, Goeres-Priest said. In other words, the bloom hadn't turned toxic yet. As the weather warmed, the bloom grew and developed toxins — specifical- ly, the cyanotoxins known as cylindros- permopsin and microcystin. Water samples taken on May 21 came back with results May 23 that revealed toxin levels high enough to trigger a health advisory for Detroit Lake. There is, again, nothing particularly unusual about that. Locals often reference the wildflow- ers and algae blooming at the same time of year — it's become part of life in in the small tourist town. Salem officials were confident enough they issued a press release on May 23 titled "City of Salem drinking water remains safe to drink." Even so, there were hints something was different about this bloom. Instead of one bloom — as was the Park case in 2017 — testing revealed toxic al- gae in three different locations at the lake: Blowout Arm, Heater Creek Arm and near the dam. More strikingly, the toxin levels were high in Blowout Arm — the liver toxin "microcystin" was tested at 48.21 parts per billion. A health advisory is trig- gered when levels are 4 parts per billion. "It's not the highest level of toxin that we've ever seen, but it is high," Hillwig said. "If you get a high enough level, the toxins can travel a long way down- stream, so it could make sense that that's what happened here." More testing, fewer answers The toxins at Detroit Lake led to in- creased testing by city officials, includ- ing at Geren Island Treatment Facility on the North Santiam River. Those tests showed concerning data. Tests from May 23 showed the toxin cylindrospermopsin at 6.9 parts per bil- lion — above the safe threshold even for adults, according to OHA officials. By the May 25 test, levels had dropped to 1.9 parts per billion — safe for adults but not for small children. Tests of the water once it passed through sand filters and came out Salem of faucets were lower — though it's un- clear how much lower. But the toxins were there, and at levels high enough to potentially sicken younger children, pets and those in poor health. City officials got results of those tests on May 26 and 27, but didn't alert the public until Tuesday afternoon, an issue that's raised ire in the community. At a press conference May 30, city of- ficials didn't directly address why they didn't inform the public sooner, other than saying they didn't want to "jump the gun" and pointing out that most se- rious health impacts typically come af- ter 10 days of exposure. "We wanted to be proactive and in- form the public because we're coming up on the 10-day exposure period," said Greg Walsh, emergency manager for City of Salem. "If people are exposed to it for 10 days that's when the probability of health issues increases." Next steps City workers are continuing to collect water quality samples to ensure the wa- ter remains safe, officials said Saturday. regular duties for the city. She finally settled on a plan to pour a stamped concrete overlook, bordered on two sides by retaining walls and landscape fencing and separated from the creek below by decorative railing. Fill dirt and new plants, such as Oregon grape, will cap the park there, eliminat- ing the path that once ran behind City Hall’s parking lot. “Sue has worked hard on this, and we are delighted that it could be designed in-house. She’s done a great job, and she’s saved the city a lot of money,” Saxe said. “Now we are going out for bid, hop- ing to get it done in late summer or early fall.” Summer is the busiest time for con- tractors, so Saxe said he hopes to secure favorable prices by pushing ground- breaking ‘til late in the season. As the project begins, the city will protect and incorporate the last onsite chunk of concrete, with its commemo- rative plaque, and, hopefully, later add an information kiosk, Saxe said. Silver- ton Lions Club is also planning to do- nate a bench. Once completed, the overlook will connect to the larger 7.5-acre Old Mill Park, which features bathrooms, a drinking fountain, grassy areas and as- phalt paths running between the library and community pool. Last year, the park’s natural grassy amphitheater saw the first annual Fi- scher’s Mill Music Fest, an outdoor bluegrass, rock and folk festival. It’s scheduled to be held there again on July 21. Advisory Rebecca McCoun, Executive Director of the North Santiam Watershed Council. Lyons and Mehama Continued from Page 1A Mill City Idanha and Detroit There have been no toxins found in the water supply. The city has used two municipal wells in the city for its water supply since 2005. Prior to that, the city got its water from the North Santiam River. Continued from Page 1A The towns are above Detroit Lake. The water supplies for those cities have been tested and no toxins were found. “They draw it from a tributary,” said Y KUBOTA’S N A A The special district was awaiting re- sults of tests of the water in the Lyons- Mehama District, but has not issued a health advisory about it. The city draws its water from both the North Santiam and South Santiam rivers — the South Santiam breaks off above Detroit Lake — and says its water is fine because it’s diluted by the time it is sent to customers. The city is expected to build a membrane treatment facility in 2019. bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler Address: P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309 To Place an Ad Phone: 503-399-6773 Classifieds: call 503-399-6789 Retail: call 503-399-6602 Legal: call 503-399-6789 Email: sanews@salem.gannett.com Missed Delivery? G Web site: www.SilvertonAppeal.com HOICE! D C OO Call: 800-452-2511 Hours: until 7 p.m. Wednesdays; until 3 p.m. other weekdays Staff News Director Don Currie 503-399-6655 dcurrie@statesmanjournal.com Advertising Terri McArthur 503-399-6630 tmcarthur@Salem.gannett.com To Subscribe Call: 800-452-2511 $21 per year for home delivery $22 per year for motor delivery $30.10 per year mail delivery in Oregon $38.13 per year mail delivery outside Oregon Deadlines Main Statesman Journal publication Suggested monthly rates: Monday-Sunday: $22, $20 with EZ Pay Monday-Saturday: $17.50, $16 with EZ Pay Wednesday-Sunday: $18, $16 with EZ Pay Monday-Friday: $17.50, $16 with EZ Pay Sunday and Wednesday: $14, $12 with EZ Pay Sunday only: $14, $12 with EZ Pay News: 4 p.m. Thursday Letters: 4 p.m. Thursday Obituaries: 11 a.m. Friday Display Advertising: 4 p.m. Wednesday Legals: 3 p.m. Wednesday Classifieds: 4 p.m. Friday News Tips • 21.6 Gross HP † ,3-Cylinder Kubota Diesel Engine • Variable Hydro Transmission (VHT-X) • Standard 4WD Once completed, the overlook will connect to the larger 7.5-acre Old Mill Park, which features bathrooms, a drinking fountain, grassy areas and asphalt paths running between the library and community pool. Jefferson Fax: 503-399-6706 RTV-X900WL-H Daily sampling will continue through Thursday. Results and algae conditions at the reservoir will determine further testing frequency. Even with Salem's water now diag- nosed with a clean bill of health, toxic algae from Detroit Lake could be an is- sue the city faces on a more common ba- sis. The city's water filtration system, de- signed in the 1930s, is intended for a high quality water source — and the North Santiam has historically been ex- cellent source water. But if toxic blooms become more common, and Salem's water is at greater risk, the city could consider installing a more robust filtration system. Problem is, the cost of a completely new water filtration system would be around $200 million. "What we're doing is the least expen- sive way to deliver finished water to community," said Salem Public Works Director Peter Fernandez. Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 10 years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@Statesman- Journal.com or (503) 399-6801. The Appeal Tribune encourages suggestions for local stories. Email the newsroom, submit letters to the editor and send announcements to sanews@salem.gannett.com or call 503-399-6773. To report delivery problems or subscribe, call 800-452-2511 Published every Wednesday by the Statesman Journal, P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309. 0% A.P.R. FINANCING FOR UP TO 84* MONTHS ON SELECT NEW KUBOTAS! USPS 469-860, Postmaster: Send address changes to Appeal Tribune, P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID: Salem, OR and additional offices. Send letters to the editor and news releases to sanews@salem.gannett.com. 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