Don't get wet in the Willamette for awhile

The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the Willamette River for at least 24 hours, after a power outage Sunday night at 11 p.m. caused an estimated 440,000 gallons of untreated sewage to enter the river upstream from Portland.

The Oak Lodge Sanitary District lost power during high winds, and the districts backup generator was not operative initially due to an electrical component failure.

Loss of the districts primary and backup power caused the sewage release from a manhole at 925 S.E. Courtney Ave. in Oak Grove, an unincorporated community south of Portland.

The sewage release lasted until power was restored at 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Both the primary and backup power have been restored.

Steve Law can be reached at 503-546-5139 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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