City of Newport Plans to Trace Bacteria Sources in Nye Creek Stormwater System

Newport, OR. — The City of Newport has adopted a long-term plan to investigate elevated bacteria levels at the Nye Creek outfall near Nye Beach. The plan calls for more consistent sampling, tracing elevated results through the stormwater system and taking corrective action when the city identifies a source.

Nye Creek drains an urban area through the city’s stormwater network before reaching the Pacific Ocean near the Nye Beach turnaround. According to the city, elevated bacteria levels in the creek and at Nye Beach have been a concern for more than two decades. Newport and the local Surfrider Foundation chapter have conducted monitoring and investigations during that time, but the city has not identified a single source that explains the problem.

Under the Nye Creek Outfall Bacteria Levels Plan of Action, Newport will establish permanent sampling locations and continue testing upstream and at the outfall. When a sample shows elevated bacteria, staff will follow the drainage network upstream, testing individual branches and inspecting infrastructure as needed. The city says it will determine a corrective action if it finds a specific problem.

Become a Paid Subscriber for Exclusive Content Access and Support Independent News

“This plan gives the City a clear, organized process for continuing to investigate bacteria levels in the Nye Creek drainage system,” City Manager Nina Vetter said. She described the work as a long-term effort whose results will be measured through ongoing monitoring.

Newport also plans to expand education about keeping pet waste, trash, RV sewage and other wastewater out of storm drains. Vetter said some potential sources of bacteria fall outside the city’s regulatory control, making public participation part of the response.

The plan sets out an investigation process; it does not establish when bacteria levels will fall or promise that every source can be found. Newport said it will provide updates as the work proceeds.

Separately, the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program, run by the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Environmental Quality, tests coastal waters for enterococcus bacteria and issues health advisories when levels are high. Visitors can check the program’s current beach conditions for advisory information.