Don't sweep sewer accident under rug

The big possible cover-up … the city of Sandpoint quietly sweeps the recent four-day untreated waste dumping into the Pend Oreille River under the rug. One day the problem is so serious that we are told not to go into the water. The next day everything is peachy keen. Opponents of the use of herbicides in our waterways circle like vultures around the issue of environment and safety, while four days worth of E. coli spews into the river.

"Out of site, out of mind" appears to apply here. One might ask, "Where did all of those E. coli bacteria go? Or how many E. coli now call the river their home? Or, what were the levels of E. coli in the water before it was detected four days later?"

It takes just 10 E. coli bacteria to infect a human. Who knows what effect this bacteria has on fish, wildlife and vegetation? Someone should be held accountable for this debacle, above and beyond investigations by outside agencies. Treatment facilities should be monitored daily. And for those who complain about the use of herbicides, I think there are far more dangerous issues out there to worry about. While we are understandably concerned about herbicides, we should be more concerned about the use of our waterways as a toilet. This "accident" should not be swept under the rug.

LAURIE WADKINS

Priest River