City manager details months of work with DanBot on wash-water, cites DEQ oversight

City Manager Ogden told the Sweet Home City Council that staff have spent months working with a local business (referred to in the transcript as both "DanBot" and "Dadbot") to address wash water entering the stormwater system and to identify paths to compliance with state rules. Ogden said the issue falls under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) because stormwater discharges directly into waterways and cannot be contaminated by soaps, oils, or detergents. "DEQ has confirmed that commercial wash water discharge into the storm system is regulated," Ogden said.

Ogden described staff actions including meetings, written communications, technical reviews, coordination with DEQ, and exploring temporary operational solutions that would allow business operations to continue where feasible. He said staff generally pursue collaborative voluntary correction before formal enforcement and noted the only stop-work order issued in this case related to unpermitted interior construction, which was lifted after permits were obtained. "The city's approach is generally to work collaboratively toward compliance before pursuing formal enforcement actions," Ogden said.

Councilors discussed the matter in the context of potential confusion that a business registry might help resolve (see separate article). Ogden emphasized the city's goal of protecting public infrastructure and waterways while helping businesses achieve compliance and indicated staff will continue to work with the business and DEQ on containment and disposal of wash water.