(October 3, 2018) - A valve failure on a sewer line led to a sewage release along NE Marine Drive this morning. Neither the roadway nor a nearby bike path were affected. 

The release of an unknown volume occurred on the 4300 block of NE Marine Drive around 7 a.m. with sewage collecting in a field along the roadway. Crews stopped the flow around 9:15 a.m. and are on-site for cleanup. A certain amount is soaking into the ground and warning signs will be in place for about 72 hours. Environmental Services is investigating the cause and determining necessary repairs. 

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 are common causes of sewage overflows.

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. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes and @BESPortland.

 Media contact: Diane Dulken, 503-823-5328,  mailto:diane.dulken@portlandoregon.gov