Power Outage, Heavy Storm Cause Sewage Spill into River by Carl Baker - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

◄ APRIL ►
S M T W T F S
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 01 02
View Events
Submit Events

Power Outage, Heavy Storm Cause Sewage Spill into River

By Carl Baker, Community Writer
August 11, 2014 at 11:02am. Views: 27

A spill at the Redlands Water Treatment plant on Nevada Street, caused by a power outage combined with a heavy deluge of storm water, recently released up to 600,000 gallons of partially treated raw sewage into the rain-swollen Santa Ana River. A combination of a Southern California Edison power outage in the area and heavy rainfall and storm water flowing from above the treatment plant adding water into treatment reservoirs caused the reservoirs to overflow for a little more than two hours Sunday, Aug. 3, between 9 and 11:30 p.m. The wastewater treatment plant is downstream from the city’s potable water production facilities and no drinking water was contaminated. In addition, the nearest well is two miles up-gradient from the spill area and consequently unaffected. The power outage, which affected portions of northwest Redlands and unincorporated county areas, occurred at 6:10 p.m. city crews used generators to restore partial power to the plant, but were unable to keep up with the additional heavy flow from the weekend storm adding to the treatment reservoirs. The city alerted the State Water Resources Control Board of the spill. City of Redlands Municipal Utilities and Engineering Department staff stated drinking water both in Redlands and downstream communities remains safe. “We want to assure city of Redlands customers that all the water we deliver is completely safe and is not affected by the recent spill,” said Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director Fred Mousavipour. In addition, the partially-treated sewage moving downstream would be diluted by the heavy flow in the river before reaching any water facilities in Riverside or Orange counties, where the water would be disinfected.

Related Articles

Hazmat Response in Moreno Valley Highlights Hidden Dangers of Household Chemicals
Photo Courtesy of: Courtesy of CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 246

Emergency responder hazmat engine during a hazmat response.

Moreno Valley Strengthens Police Presence Following Community Safety Concerns
Photo Courtesy of: Courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff’s Department / Public use

By William Cortez, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 362

A sheriff’s patrol vehicle is parked along a residential street in Moreno Valley during daylight hours.

Moreno Valley Unified Schools Highlight Student Achievements and New Programs
Photo Courtesy of: Courtesy of Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 179

Students sit in a classroom using laptops while a teacher provides instruction at the front of the room.

“You Can See the Whole Valley”: Grand Terrace Residents Turn Out for Blue Mountain Hike
Photo Courtesy of: Courtesy of City News Group AI-generated artwork

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 209

Residents hike along a sunlit trail on Blue Mountain overlooking Grand Terrace.

Athlete of the Week: Angelo Douglas
Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 169

Defined by his work ethic, grounded in his values, and driven by purpose, Angelo Douglas represents the very best of Titan Nation.

Pure Valley Plumbing Celebrates 41 Years of Award-Winning Plumbing Services
Photo Courtesy of: Pure Valley Plumbing

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 254

Pure Valley Plumbing celebrates 41 years serving Moreno Valley with award-winning 24/7 plumbing services

San Bernardino County Teens Safer: Redlands Police Crack Down on Underage Alcohol
Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Carl Baker, Contributing Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 262

AI-generated image showing a teenage girl in a red backward cap looking serious, standing in a convenience store. In the background, a police officer is blurred. The headline reads: “San Bernardino Teens Safer: Redlands Police Crack Down on Underage Alcohol”, with “Crack Down” highlighted.

Renewable Energy Storage Project in Grand Terrace Wins Award of Merit in Energy/Industrial Category and Excellence in Safety
Photo Courtesy of: Photo courtesy Rosendin Electric

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 328

A 10-acre site in Grand Terrace, this 200-MW/800-MWh battery energy storage system supplies electricity to around 150,000 homes for up to four hours during peak electricity demand periods.

FARSB Receives $50,000 from Enterprise Mobility’s Fill Your Tank Program
Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America

By Rachel Bonilla, Contributing Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 510

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is proud to be part of Enterprise Mobility’s Fill Your Tank® Program, which is helping to end hunger by supporting local food banks.

Little Me, Big Responsibility’ Initiative Encourages Parents to Build Healthy Habits Early for Their Young Children

Photo Courtesy of: First 5 San Bernardino

By Kimberly VandenBosch, Community Writer

April 1, 2026 at 03:40pm. Views: 317

Chef Liz and two young children in colorful aprons stand around a kitchen island. Chef Liz is helping the young child in the pink apron scoop nut butter into sliced pita bread. Other food ingredients surround them, apples, almonds, granola, maple syrup and honey.

Casting Director, Shani Hamilton Thillet, Books Talent for Dameron Communications  
Photo Courtesy of: Shani Hamilton Thillet

By Greg Zerovnik, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 692

“I am excited to leverage my extensive network of Inland Empire actors, dancers, and models to bring exceptional talent to advertising projects at Dameron Communications,” said Shani Hamilton Thillet

Moreno Valley Unified School District wins multiple communications awards, receiving special recognition for its Dual Language I
Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 765

Left to Right: The Moreno Valley Unified School District team earned 3 CalSPRA Awards of Excellence and a President's Award. School Board Vice President Sammie Luna, Digital Media Specialist Isaiah Garcia, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Anahi Velasco, Digital Video Specialist Naival Cartagena, and School Board Member Justin Jackson.

--> -->