UPDATE (April 14, 2017) - Environmental Services is extending the advisory through the end of today.  Crews found and removed the source of the blockage yesterday - a broken piece of clay pipe that had partially blocked flows near a diversion manhole at N. Burlington Avenue and Edison. They are continuing to investigate the source of that broken pipe and determine what additional repairs may be needed. While crews were working on Wednesday and before they discovered the broken pipe, an additional discharge to the Willamette River of about 10,000 gallons occurred during an intense short rainstorm. For that reason, Environmental Services is advising the public to continue avoiding contact with the river downstream of Cathedral Park through today because of the possibility of increased bacteria in the water.

(April 12, 2017) – Debris blocking a sewer pipe is suspected of causing an estimated 14,000 gallons of sewage to be released into the Willamette River overnight north of the St. Johns Bridge.

The release occurred from about 10 p.m. to about 11 p.m. and then again from about 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. from an outfall pipe at the north end of Cathedral Park. Maintenance crews are working to identify the source of the blockage.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the river downstream of Cathedral Park for 48 hours because of the possibility of increased bacteria in the water.

The Bureau of Environmental Services works with Portland residents and businesses to protect water quality, public health, and the environment through wastewater collection and treatment, sewer construction and maintenance, stormwater management, and stream and watershed restoration. For news updates, follow @BESPortland on Twitter and visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/news.