Imagine turning on your tap, only to wonder if the water flowing out is safe to drink. This is the unsettling reality for residents of a small Oregon town, where a local wood treatment facility has been accused of dumping toxic chemicals into the very river that supplies their drinking water. But here’s where it gets controversial: while regulators claim the water is safe, the town isn’t taking any chances—and they’re demanding answers.
Prompted by an investigative report from InvestigateWest (https://www.investigatewest.org/oregon-wood-treater-kept-polluting-regulators-didnt-stop-it/), the Sheridan City Council has taken matters into its own hands. The report revealed that Stella-Jones, a Canadian wood treatment company, had been releasing stormwater tainted with toxic preservatives into the South Yamhill River for nearly four years. What’s more shocking? Regulators allegedly knew about it and did little to stop it. Now, the town is launching its own testing program to ensure their water is truly safe.
The council has directed staff to collaborate with environmental researchers and state regulators to develop a comprehensive testing plan for the river. This goes beyond the standard contaminant monitoring required by state law. “We need to know what’s in our water,” said Sheridan Mayor Cale George. “Until we test, we can’t be sure.”
And this is the part most people miss: the issue isn’t just about drinking water. The South Yamhill River is a lifeline for the community—kids play in it, anglers fish in it, and paddlers explore it. Yet, recent reports of disappearing crayfish downstream from the Stella-Jones site have raised alarms. “When something as simple as crayfish vanishes, it’s a red flag,” said Council President Jim Buckles. “It’s not just about our drinking water; it’s about the health of our entire ecosystem.”
Stella-Jones has faced hefty penalties, including a $1 million fine from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a $250,000 criminal fine after pleading guilty to unlawful water pollution (https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/stella-jones-corporation-pleads-guilty-to-multiple-counts-of-unlawful-water-pollution-in-yamhill-county/). But the company is fighting back, arguing that regulators misapplied laws and failed to address pre-existing contamination on the site. They’ve also switched to a less toxic preservative, DCOIT, since early 2023.
The EPA’s recent 1,600-page report sheds light on the extent of the pollution, identifying pentachlorophenol—a likely carcinogen—and other toxins like copper and dioxin as major culprits. Dioxin levels in some sediment samples were alarmingly high, posing risks to aquatic life. Yet, the EPA insists the contamination is localized and is working on a cleanup plan, expected by 2026.
Here’s the kicker: While Sheridan officials plan to test for both DCOIT and pentachlorophenol, some argue their efforts may not tell the whole story. Nina Bell, an environmental attorney, warns that focusing solely on drinking water could overlook broader ecological impacts. “Even if the water is safe to drink, high levels of toxins will harm wildlife and the river’s health,” she said.
As Stella-Jones works to upgrade its stormwater treatment system and remove contaminated sediment, the town remains skeptical. City Manager Preston Polasek admits the testing is partly to reassure concerned councilors, but he stands by the safety of the drinking water. Still, the question lingers: Is that enough?
What do you think? Are regulators doing enough to protect our water and ecosystems? Or is it up to communities like Sheridan to take the lead? Let us know in the comments below. This isn’t just Oregon’s problem—it’s a wake-up call for us all.
