Raw Sewage & Coliform Discharges into Pacific Ocean
River Watch vs. City of Cresent City
Case Number: C01-2973 BZ
Date filed: April 3, 2001
Background: River Watch sued the City of Crescent City for violations of requirements of NPDS permits, the Basin Plan, and the Code of Federal Regulation. Crescent City exceeded discharge limitations, effluent limitations, receiving water limitations, and failed to adequately report continual discharges of raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean. Crescent City failed to maintain its collection system and continually discharged coliform organisms into receiving waters. It also failed to monitor and report detection levels required by law for chromium, lead, mercury, arsenic, dieldrin, heptachlor, and toxaphene.
RW Action and Results: The City will implement a number of measures to address the potential for overflows with its collection system which include replacing its outfall pumps and conducting a CCTV inspection to complete its characterization of collection mains, wyes, tees, and taps. The City will implement a detailed monitoring system on all of its treated effluent that it discharges. A compliance audit of the City's POTW will also be conducted by an expert as well as a creek/sewer line study to measure for coliform upstream and downstream of any water body located within 100 feet of a City owned or operated sewer line.