Salem, OR. — City officials say a limited-area diesel fuel spill on Geren Island, home to Salem’s water treatment facility, poses no threat to the city’s drinking water supply.
Public Works staff discovered the spill early Monday morning, Jan. 20, after determining that a mechanical failure inside an electrical generator caused approximately 600 gallons of diesel fuel to leak onto the ground over the weekend. The spill occurred on the west end of Geren Island near administrative and laboratory buildings, roughly a half mile from the nearest water treatment area and more than 600 feet from the south channel of the North Santiam River.
City officials emphasized that the spill did not impact the quality or safety of Salem’s drinking water. “Your water remains safe to drink,” the city said in a statement.
Salem’s Environmental Services unit responded immediately and completed the initial surface cleanup. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has been notified and is monitoring the situation. A contracted environmental cleanup crew has been brought in to remove contaminated soil, with work expected to continue over the next several days to ensure no fuel reaches the river.
Salem’s water treatment facility on Geren Island has provided drinking water to residents since 1937 and remains fully operational. City officials say safeguards and distance from treatment infrastructure prevented any contamination of the water system.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311.
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