City crews stopped a sewage release from an overflowing manhole on Monday on the campus of West Hills Christian School at 7945 SW Capitol Hill Road.
The flow, which had no reported odor, originated from a manhole near the property’s northern perimeter, flowed across the school track, and south across the school parking lot, where it drained into a stormwater inlet. There is a possibility that the diluted sewage reached a nearby creek, which flows into Tryon Creek. The investigation is continuing.
The public is advised to avoid the campus field, which school officials partially closed off. City crews also posted warning signs in the parking lot. The public is advised that Tryon Creek may have been affected and to avoid contact with creek water for 48 hours due to the possibility of increased bacteria
Crews responding on Monday learned the overflow had been occurring for a number of days, possibly beginning December 23. They stopped the release around 4:45 p.m. Monday, and estimated the volume at about 37,000 gallons.
Crews also cleared debris and roots from a nearby sewer line and believe that blockage was the cause of the release.
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. Follow news on Twitter @BESPortland.