For immediate release
Blocked Sewer Line Causes Overflow into Fanno Creek
Residents and pets advised to avoid contact with Fanno Creek near Durham City and Tigard’s Cook Park
Tigard, OR — September 8, 2005 —
A blocked 8-inch sewer line caused a small overflow of raw sewage into Fanno Creek near Durham City Park. The blockage has been cleared and clean up is in progress. Area residents and pets are advised to avoid water contact with Fanno Creek between Durham Road and the confluence of Fanno Creek and the Tualatin River.
Clean Water Services crews posted warning signs in the immediate area and took water samples upstream and downstream of the site this evening. Signs will be removed when water samples show no evidence of sewage. Clean Water Services expects the area to be clear by Sunday.
An area resident reported an unusual odor near the park Thursday afternoon. Upon investigation, Clean Water Services’ crews discovered an estimated 5-gallons-per-minute of sewage overflowing from a manhole near Fanno Creek. It is not known how long the overflow had been occurring.
Clean Water Services is the sanitary sewer and surface water management utility for more than 470,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment plants, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.
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