The existing tank is of buried concrete design and was constructed in the early 1940s as part of the water system for the Tillamook Naval Air Station. The tank has been out of service for many years, and the concrete roof was removed some time ago. Concrete columns that supported the roof were removed and the interior coated with a chemical resistant epoxy coating. The tank is 107 feet in diameter and 12 feet deep.

A 30 x 30 foot building was constructed to house the processing portion of the facility. The facility is currently receiving septage from five haulers. Processing will take place when it is needed. With the large size of the holding tank, there is plenty of time to plan the processing schedules.

The concept of converting the tank to a septage receiving station was developed based on several economic and environmental considerations. There are few locations for disposal of septage collected in Tillamook County. The Port has installed a Septic Tank Effluent Pressure (STEP) system on Port property. This system periodically requires pumping of the sludge from septic tanks.

To build a completely new system is cost prohibitive. However, utilizing the existing tank is a costs effective approach. Additionally, the location of the tank is approximately one mile from any private residences, so the likelihood of having any adverse impacts on residential communities is minimal

Five local companies dump septage waste at the Port of Tillamook Bay site:

• City of Tillamook
• T & L
• Netarts/Oceanside Sanitary District
• Sweet Septic
• Roto Rooter
• Teninty & Son