UPDATE (April 2, 2017) - The sewage overflow was stopped at about 9 p.m. and sewer service restored at 1 a.m. Crews found rags and other debris stuck in the sewer pipe, causing a blockage. To prevent clogs that can cause overflows and disrupt service, the public is advised to flush only waste and toilet paper and not pour anything down storm drains. 

Sanitary Sewage Release Advisory

(this is not a combined sewer overflow [CSO] advisory)

(April 1, 2017) - Sewer maintenance crews responded this afternoon to a report of sewage flowing from a manhole on NW Thompson Road and NW Devuto Lane. Field crews estimate that about 9,000 gallons of sewage is flowing from the manhole over the street into a storm drain that feeds into Cedar Mill Creek.

Most sewage is contained in a ditch and the street but some is expected to reach the creek.

Crews are on scene and attempting to stop the flow, which is intermittent. They also posted warning signs in the areas accessible to the public. The area is a residential street west of Forest Park.

As a precaution, the public is advised to adhere to the warning signs posted at the site and avoid contact with Cedar Mill Creek in that area for at least 48 hours because of the possibility of increased bacteria in the water.

The City of Portland treats an average of 70 million gallons of wastewater each day. Over one-third of Portland’s more than 2,500 miles of sewer pipes are over 80 years old. Pipes that fail or become blocked with grease, tree roots, and debris can cause sewage overflows. The sewage release in NW Portland is not related to Portland’s combined sewer overflow control system.

The Bureau of Environmental Services provides city residents with programs to protect water quality and public health, including wastewater collection and treatment, sewer construction and maintenance, stormwater management, and stream and watershed restoration. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bes and follow us on Twitter for news @besportland.

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