OKMULGEE, Okla., Sept. 6, 2000 — Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials are investigating a sewage spill in a river near Okmulgee, Okla., after fish died along a seven-mile stretch downstream from a wastewater treatment plant.
The fish kill, extending about seven miles downstream from an Okmulgee wastewater treatment plant in the Canadian River brought authorities into the investigation, the DEQ said. The Canadian River in eastern Oklahoma empties into lake Eufaula, the state's largest lake and a major recreational spot. The cause of the release is still under investigation.
Officials investigating the fish kill discovered elevated levels of hydrocarbons further downstream resulting from an unplugged well discharging oil and natural gas into the river.
The problem came to light when a fish kill was observed extending about seven miles from just downstream of the wastewater treatment plant towards Lake Eufaula. The kill attracted the attention of Oklahoma Wildlife Department and the US Fish and Game Department. Referrals to the Environmental Complaints and Local Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) brought in the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.
DEQ investigations revealed that raw sewage sludge was being released into the Canadian River by the Okmulgee WWTP. Samples of river water showed a serious decrease in oxygen content due to the increased biological oxygen demand (BOD). The organic matter in the sludge uses the oxygen that otherwise would be available to aquatic life.
As of Thursday afternoon, none of the agencies had issued any advisories. Michael Dean, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality said that DEQ is encouraging people to avoid fishing, swimming or allowing cattle to drink from the affected section of the river.
Dean said that the enforcement authority over the Okmulgee WWTP remains with EPA, because the plant was under enforcement at the time the DEQ became authorized for administering the NPDES program in Oklahoma. The plant has had a long history of problems and remains under enforcement including penalties for violations, according to the DEQ.
For currently unknown reasons, sludge had accumulated at the plant and a major release happened sometime within the past week. In April, 2000, the WWTP changed operators and came under the control of a new engineering company, another indication of the ongoing problems.
The DEQ expects it may take as long as 30 days for the WWTP to correct the problem. Until that time, problems with the ambient river water quality will continue. Should an advisory be necessary, the Corps of Engineers will be the issuing authority.
