(February 25, 2021) - City crews cleaned up a sewage release yesterday evening on Highway 43 between S Greenwood Road and SW Midvale roads.
The sewage overflowed from a maintenance access hole on a hillside on the 12000 block of S Riverside Drive (also known as Highway 43), and flowed into a stormwater ditch along the road. Crews responded around 4 p.m. and cleared a blockage by about 6 p.m., restoring service and cleaning the area.
The sewer infrastructure in the area is owned by the Dunthorpe-Riverside District but maintained by the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
Most sewage overflows are preventable. The cause of this incident is still being investigated. Pipes that become blocked with grease, tree roots, wet wipes and other debris are the most common cause of sewage overflows.
Environmental Services advises the public to follow these tips to prevent clogs in homes and businesses, and to prevent sewage releases:
- Only flush human waste and toilet paper (wet wipes are NOT flushable)
- Collect grease and fat in cans and put them into the garbage not down drains
- Do not put anything down storm drains, which are intended for rainfall only.
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