For Release
City of Cannon Beach
Contact: cityhall [at] ci.cannon-beach.or.us (cityhall[at]ci[dot]cannon-beach[dot]or[dot]us)
June 16, 2026
(Cannon Beach, OR) The City of Cannon Beach has settled a lawsuit concerning intermittent bacterial contamination to storm water that reached nearby beaches. The settlement does not find the city liable for the contamination at the Gower (Ecola Court) or Tolovana Beach outfalls.
Under the settlement, the city will continue to investigate possible sources through an independent engineering firm. It also provides funds to the North Coast Watershed Association in Astoria, Oregon, to support one or more projects intended to reduce stormwater pollution, enhance local water quality conditions, or restore habitat in or around Cannon Beach. The settlement is between the city and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center which filed the lawsuit in March 2025.
The city’s wastewater treatment plant is permitted by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and complies with all applicable laws and regulations. The city’s stormwater system collects and conveys stormwater runoff that originates both inside and outside the city boundaries and discharges stormwater through outfalls onto public beaches.
The city has conducted numerous tests to pinpoint the source of bacteria. None of these tests have shown sanitary sewer discharges coming through storm sewers. Both Cannon Beach’s and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling programs have found no connection between the city’s sanitary sewer system and stormwater discharges to the beach.
The beaches and ocean water are monitored by the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program and if contamination is detected, the Oregon Health Authority issues warnings through advisories and signage so people can be aware of any potential exposure. Protection of public health and the environment is the city’s priority and even though our city sanitary sewer system is not responsible, we will continue to work with our regulatory agencies and other
stakeholders to help find a solution.