Summer limits, which take into account lower stream flows and a water body s reduced ability to assimilate wastes, usually go into effect May 1 or June 1 and are usually in place until November 1. Flow conditions in the Willamette River, which are controlled by reservoir discharges, are projected to be adequate to protect water quality until June 1, although late summer conditions are uncertain. Columbia River and Pacific Ocean flow conditions also are adequate to provide sufficient dilution. Facilities that operate a lagoon storage and treatment system and have a non-discharge period during summer are urged to evaluate their operations to ensure that adequate waste storage will be available if drought conditions continue into autumn. Facilities using chlorine for disinfection or discharging feed water that carries a chlorine residual should minimize the amount of chlorine that is discharged.
Chlorine is extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
Facilities should make sure all operations are fully maintained and working as efficiently as possible to prevent overflows, bypassing and other problems that occur when equipment breaks down. Facilities should be prepared to deal with power outages, which can affect waste treatment and collection systems. Back-up systems should be operational. DEQ will continue to evaluate drought conditions with other state and federal agencies and will review specific water basin information to identify potentially critical locations. Permitted facilities will be notified of further drought management planning updates that may affect their operations.