DEQ fines OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center for water quality violations

By the Albany Democrat-Herald

NEWPORT – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Oregon State University $6,800 for dumping water into Yaquina Bay that potentially contained up to 12 times the amount of fish-killing chlorine derivatives allowed under its state permit.

The state’s environmental regulator found OSU failed to safely treat water cycling out of aquariums at Hatfield Marine Science Center, the school’s ocean sciences campus in Newport.

A university spokesperson said the center has changed its processes and regrets the events that led to the penalty.

OSU entered into a formal enforcement process in December 2021 after a regular review of records by the DEQ showed water treated at Hatfield contained too many hazardous pollutants related to chlorine.

“Chlorine is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Your exceedances of these limits created a risk of harm to aquatic life in Yaquina Bay,” the agency stated in a March 21 civil penalty notice. It was one of 13 DEQ fines last month.

Hatfield is required to continuously monitor the pollutants — oxidants produced by chlorinating saltwater — and report any issues to the state.

Under its permit, the school is allowed up to 0.03 milligrams of chlorine-related oxidants in every liter of water leaving the treatment system, measured at a point before it combines with any water not containing chlorine.

Oregon found Hatfield recorded up to 0.36 milligrams in a liter for two days in February 2020, according to DEQ documents. The school recorded 24 violations ranging from 0.11 to well over 0.3 milligrams between January 2020 and March 3, 2022.

Chlorinated water is measured coming out of aquariums at Hatfield, where it combines with water coming from a filter and a floor drain at the school before draining into Yaquina Bay.

Steve Clark, vice president of university relations and marketing, said by email, that the marine science center recified the issue “as soon we were notified” by modifying its water treatment process and increasing testing.

“The university regrets this higher level of chlorine discharge having occurred,” Clark said.

The environmental agency also noted water leaving another Hatfield outfall contained about 72 percent more suspended solid waste than permitted, according to a letter sent by DEQ in 2021.