Sludge Watch ==> Oregon - land applied septage contaminated water for years

[Maureen Reilly]

Casco Lodge At Center Of Sebago Lake Sludge Controversy



10/6/2006 6:17:41 PM

  WCSH6.com/mobile

In a rare move, the Bureau of Environmental Protection has overturned a 
negotiated fine issued by the DEP against the famed Migis Lodge. A septic 
company hired by the resort spread raw sewage and grease on a sludge field 
near Sebago Lake that had been used for years.

The Portland Water District and Department of Environmental Protection 
investigated, and they found that the move presented an e-coli hazard for 
Sebago Lake, which is the greater Portland area's source of drinking water.

The DEP issued fines to the Migis Lodge and the septic company totalling 
about $10,000. But the Lakes Environmental association appealed the fine, 
saying it wasn't harsh enough, and the BEP agreed.

"I think the only thing you can do at this point is to impose a stiffer 
fine. The damage has been done, things have been corrected, I'm sure Migis 
Lodge is not going to do this again and the septic pumper has been licensed, 
and so all of that is water over the dam," said Peter Lowell from the Lakes 
Environmental Association. "So the only thing you can do is impose a fine 
that's stringent enough to send that message," Lowell said.

The case now goes back to the DEP to reconsider.
The Portland Water District wants to stress that the drinking water supply 
is safe and was not affected by the sludge.

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=42857