'Sludge blanket': Lebanon, Sweet Home file tort claim for $37M water treatment damage
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The cities of Lebanon and Sweet Home have filed a tort claim notice against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, alleging negligent management of the Green Peter Reservoir led to over $37 million in damage to the cities' water treatment systems.
The tort claim focuses on the 2023 court-ordered drawdown at the Green Peter Dam. In the claim, the cities allege that the Army Corps of Engineers failed to implement any sediment control measures.
The drawdown, which decreased the reservoir's water levels in order to help the Chinook and steelhead populations, elevated turbidity levels in the South Santiam River, according to the notice. The cities said this increased the sediment load in their water treatment facilities that the systems were not prepared for -- leading to higher operational costs, equipment damage, and expensive pretreatment upgrades.
Among the damages highlighted in the notice, the City of Sweet Home noted the high turbidity levels created a "sludge blanket buildup" in the city's facility.
Now, the cities are seeking compensation for over $26 million in damages in Lebanon and more than $11 million in Sweet Home. Officials said these costs reflect anticipated upgrades for water treatment facilities to handle future drawdowns and ensure long-term water safety.
“The damages we’ve sustained are substantial and ongoing,” said Lebanon City Manager Ron Whitlatch. “Together with Sweet Home, we are seeking accountability for the harm caused to our infrastructure and the significant costs we’ve incurred to ensure safe drinking water for our communities.”
The cities of Lebanon and Sweet Home have also declared a state of emergency as they anticipate potential impacts to water quality. The declaration allows the cities to work with state and federal agencies to address water quality concerns.
“This declaration ensures that we are fully prepared and have all necessary resources to protect our community’s water quality during this critical time,” said Sweet Home City Manager Jason Ogden.
In a May 2023 announcement of the drawdown, the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said they would gradually lower the reservoir levels to help juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead survive and pass through the dam.
The drawdown was part of an injunction ordered by the U.S. District Court of Oregon in 2021.
In a statement to KOIN 6 News, the Portland District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said, "Out of respect for the legal process, the Corps’ policy is to refrain from commenting on pending or active litigation. We operate the dams for the drawdowns per the court order from the ESA litigation."