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Even leaders in aerospace technology are not immune from the difficult task of managing wastewater runoff.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $4,800 penalty to Boeing Aerospace Operations, Inc. for discharging wastewater into the Columbia Slough. The discharge came from a rooftop power wash and created a milky white plume in the inlet.

Boeing operates an aircraft maintenance facility on the property, located at 4635 N.E. Cornfoot Road in Portland.

According to a release from the DEQ, the milky white plume entered the Columbia Slough from a drainage system at the facility after workers power washed the rooftop on Sept. 12. State law prohibits the discharge of wastewater that causes 鈥渙bjectionable discoloration or offensive aesthetic conditions in Oregon’s rivers, lakes and streams.鈥�

Jeff Bachman, an environmental law specialist for the DEQ, said Boeing mistakenly believed the water was draining to sanitary sewer systems.

鈥淚 think it’s indicative of (the fact that) people have to be very cognizant and conscious of when they are conducting operations like this, that they know where stuff is ending up,鈥� Bachman said.

It is possible that the plume caused harm to aquatic life and caused fish to avoid the area, according to the DEQ. Boeing has until Dec. 20 to appeal the penalty.