PORTLAND, Ore. — An unknown amount of sewage was accidentally released onto the pavement under the west side of Portland's Burnside Bridge at Waterfront Park on Monday morning.
Crews with the city of Portland have contained the release and are working to clean it up, according to a statement from the city. The public is advised to avoid the area until the cleanup is complete. There are warning signs posted at the site and crews have placed barrier tape around it.
Due to the close proximity of the sewage release to the Willamette River, Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services is advising the public to avoid contact with the river around the Burnside Bridge for at least 48 hours, according to the news release.
The release came from a pump station that collects and sends sewage through pressurized pipes to the city’s wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Services has shut down the pump station and repairs are underway.
If you experience or see a sewer overflow, call the city of Portland’s hotline, which is staffed at all hours of the day and night: 503-823-1700.
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