UPDATE
COLUMBIA FALLS - A temporary fix for the power failure at the wastewater treatment plant in Columbia Falls is in place.
Public Works Director Chris Hanley is asking people to still avoid the river area below the treatment plant for the rest of the day out of caution.
ORIGINAL REPORT
COLUMBIA FALLS - A power failure is impacting the wastewater treatment plant in Columbia Falls.
According to a news release, a "major power failure" has caused the treatment system to fail and it is "not currently treating the effluent including the removal of phosphorous or nitrates."
Officials note that the system is not discharging solids into the river.
People are being asked to avoid the river area below the treatment plant which is located on Veteran’s Drive, approximately 1.4 miles west of the old Red Bridge.
The power issue is expected to be resolved on Tuesday and the plant should be back to full operations by Wednesday at the latest.