(February 9, 2018) –  Portland Bureau of Environmental Services has the following statement regarding a July 13, 2017 sewage overflow to Woods Creek in Beaverton, a tributary of Fanno Creek.

“Environmental Services accepts responsibility for this accident. We regret our error in inadvertently leaving a valve open during a test of a pressure line in the area and have installed new valve locks to prevent a future occurrence,” said Bill Ryan, Environmental Services’ chief engineer.

Environmental Services stopped the spill the day it occurred, and we thank our partners in the City of Beaverton and Clean Water Services for responding quickly to this incident.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has fined the City of Portland $55,200 for this incident. DEQ’s rules allow part of this penalty to be addressed through the completion of an environmental restoration project, and Environmental Services will pursue this option.

Environmental Services works to protect clean rivers and public health and manages the state’s largest stormwater and sewage system, serving nearly 600,000 residents.

DEQ's Feb. 9 news release may be found here.

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Environmental Services media contact: Diane Dulken (503)823-6724 diane.dulken@portlandoregon.gov