Geren Island Fuel Spill Poses No Threat To Salem’s Drinking Water
- 01/20/26
Salem, Ore. — A limited-area fuel spill on the island that also houses Salem’s water treatment facility poses no threat to the City’s drinking water.
In the early morning of Jan. 20, Public Works staff discovered a diesel fuel spill had occurred over the weekend when a part inside an electrical generator failed, resulting in about 600 gallons of fuel leaking onto the ground. The spill occurred on the west end of the island near administrative and laboratory buildings, about a half mile from the nearest water treatment area and more than 600 feet from the south channel of the North Santiam River.
The spill had no impact on the quality or safety of Salem’s drinking water supply. Your water remains safe to drink.
Salem’s Environmental Services unit responded and performed the initial surface clean up. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality has been notified and is monitoring the situation. A contractor has been brought in to remove contaminated soil. Work will continue over the next several days to remove all contaminated soil and ensure no fuel reaches the North Santiam River.
Salem's water treatment facility on Geren Island in the North Santiam River has served Salem residents top-quality drinking water since 1937. Customers should contact Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311 if they have any questions or concerns about their drinking water.
Geren Island Fuel Spill Poses No Threat To Salem’s Drinking Water
- 01/20/26
Salem, Ore. — A limited-area fuel spill on the island that also houses Salem’s water treatment facility poses no threat to the City’s drinking water.
In the early morning of Jan. 20, Public Works staff discovered a diesel fuel spill had occurred over the weekend when a part inside an electrical generator failed, resulting in about 600 gallons of fuel leaking onto the ground. The spill occurred on the west end of the island near administrative and laboratory buildings, about a half mile from the nearest water treatment area and more than 600 feet from the south channel of the North Santiam River.
The spill had no impact on the quality or safety of Salem’s drinking water supply. Your water remains safe to drink.
Salem’s Environmental Services unit responded and performed the initial surface clean up. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality has been notified and is monitoring the situation. A contractor has been brought in to remove contaminated soil. Work will continue over the next several days to remove all contaminated soil and ensure no fuel reaches the North Santiam River.
Salem's water treatment facility on Geren Island in the North Santiam River has served Salem residents top-quality drinking water since 1937. Customers should contact Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311 if they have any questions or concerns about their drinking water.