The North Central Public Health District this evening announced the advisory for Mosier residents to not flush toilets, shower, or do dishes has been lifted. Work to build a bypass line for wastewater has taken place. Mosier City Engineer John Grim said the temporary fix they have made to the sewer system will involve hauling the City’s wastewater to the Hood River treatment plant by truck. A main line from Mosier’s wastewater treatment plant was impacted by Friday’s train derailment, and the plant was shut down as a precaution,
Mosier officials continue to recommend people in the community to boil their water while water from a backup well is tested. Mosier City Councilor Emily Reed says the boil advisory will probably continue into Monday. Reed said the City’s main water source was used to fight the fire that resulted from the derailment.
Evacuated Mosier residents are being allowed to return home. Mosier Manor is now on a Level 2 (be set to go) notice, while all other Mosier residents are on a Level 1 (Be ready) notice.
North Wasco County School District 21 announced there will be no school for students of Mosier Community School this week. Eighth grade promotion will be rescheduled, and the Oaks Park trip for Mosier Middle School students has been cancelled. An end of year celebration will be held at a date to be announced. At that time parents and students will be able to pick up report cards and items left at the school last week. At this time no one is allowed in Mosier Community School buildings.
Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said at the news conference there is still more investigation to be done, but they do have a preliminary finding on the cause of the derailment. That finding shows it is very likely a failure with the fastener that connects a railroad tie with the rail probably contributed to the accident. Espinoza said thirteen rail cars were still at the derailment location waiting to be hauled off, adding ten of the cars need to have the oil taken out of the tanker into a temporary storage tank to be trucked out of the area.
Evacuated residents needing assistance should contact the Union Pacific Claim Center located across from the Mosier Market or call the claim center at 877-877-2567, option 6. Wasco County Emergency Management’s information hotline is operational, call 541-506-2792 to hear updates. Citizen questions can be emailed to MosierMP70@gmail.com.