‘Flushing' of chemicals spilled in Longview disaster is complete, WA says
The environmental cleanup of the highly caustic chemicals spilled at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging paper mill in Longview last month has reached a milestone as responders completed a "flushing" of the drainage network around the facility, according to the Washington state Department of Ecology.
Shortly after the devastating May 26 implosion that killed 11 people, authorities opened fire hydrants in Longview and pushed fresh water through drains and ditches to dilute white liquor that had flowed from the mill. The diluted water had then been pumped to the Columbia River.
Ecology reported late Thursday that the drainage system was back to normal pH levels and the flushing operation had ended. It also said it had ended air quality monitoring in Longview except around the perimeter fencing of the mill, with no harmful gases detected so far.
At the mill, where some 600,000 gallons of white liquor spilled, crews continue to remove the chemicals with vacuum trucks and dispose of them in the on-site wastewater treatment plant. Most of the spilled chemicals remained on the mill property.
About 2,900 dead fish have been collected by the state in the drainage system since the spill, including common carp, catfish, sunfish, bass, peamouth chub, bridgelip sucker, northern pikeminnow, sculpin and redside shiner. Crews collected two hatchery-raised salmon during the response.
Fish that died during the initial release of the chemical might continue to appear as they decompose and float to the surface, and that is normal, Ecology said.
Ecology did say that residents should follow a local guidance that has been in place since before the incident to avoid swimming, fishing or engaging in recreational activities in the sloughs, dikes and drainage ditches.
Longview drinking water remains safe to drink, the state says.
Information from The Seattle Times archives is included in this report.
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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM.