Hillsboro, OR — December 03, 2007 —
Heavy rains are causing localized flooding and the overflow of rain diluted sewage from the sanitary sewer collection system at several locations in Washington County and from Clean Water Services’ Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Tigard. Area residents and pets are advised to avoid contact with flood waters.Raw sewage that may be overflowing is highly diluted by rainwater which helps reduce the public health risks, but bacteria are still present.
Heavy, sustained rains caused the overflow of rain diluted sewage from Clean Water Services’ Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Tigard into the Tualatin River downstream of Cook Park beginning Monday morning. In addition, local sewer collection overflows have been reported at:
- the Turner Creek system in Hillsboro
- Near Farmington and Menlo Drive in Beaverton
- Royalty Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Street in King City
- Near 19100 SW Shaw Street in Aloha
Crews have worked around the clock since Sunday morning to keep the wastewater treatment facilities working and alleviate local flooding where possible. Flooding is concentrated along local creeks in areas that historically flood during very heavy rain.
Crews will post sewage overflow warning signs in areas accessible to the public. Signs will be removed when water samples show no evidence of sewage.
Clean Water Services’ Rock Creek, Hillsboro and Forest Grove wastewater treatment facilities are providing full treatment of the rain-swollen flows. Crews are also monitoring 39 sewage pump stations, sewer pipes and manholes to watch for overflows, but no other spills have been reported from the collection system.
The public is advised to call Clean Water Services or their city to report dislodged manhole lids or sewage bubbling from manholes. The public should not try to replace the lids.
Flooding: Public advised to keep stormwater grates clear of debris
Clean Water Services have been responding to local flooding problems in low lying areas of urban Washington County since early Sunday and were instrumental in resolving the flooding that resulted in evacuation of homes in King City on Sunday night. Crews have been working to clear leaf-clogged stormwater grates, inspect and clear culverts and monitor known problem areas to ensure the public drainage system is operating properly.
The public can help relieve localized flooding problems by keeping stormwater grates clear of leaves and debris and keeping yard debris and leaf piles away from drainage ditches and streams so that rising water does not carry the material downstream and block a culvert.
Self-serve sandbagging stations are located below. Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation. The sand is for flooding prevention use only. Bring your own shovel and bags.
- City of Beaverton 9600 SW Allen Boulevard (503) 526-2220
- City of Cornelius 1300 South Kodiak Circle (503) 357-3011
- City of Tigard, 8777 SW Burnham Rd. across from Tigard Water District office (503) 639-4171
- Clean Water Services Field Operations 2025 SW Merlo Court, Beaverton (503) 547-8100
- City of Hillsboro NE 28th at Sports Complex (503) 615-6509
- City of Tualatin 10699 SW Herman (503) 692-2000
- City of Forest Grove Fire & Rescue 1919 Ash St. (503) 992-3240
- Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue 3608 SW 209th Ave, Aloha (503) 649-8577
Clean Water Services is the sanitary sewer and surface water management utility for more than 5000,000 customers 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.