Debris blocked a sewer line Thursday night in Southwest Portland, causing about 1,000 gallons of sewage to enter the Willamette River near Southwest Macadam Avenue.

Officials with Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services warned the public to obey caution signs in the area and avoid contact with the river until Sunday. River water in the area is being tested for E-coli levels.

A line to the ground became blocked and released sewage into a storm sewer then the river about 2 p.m, officials said in a news release Friday morning. Crews stopped the release then cleared the blockage about 7 p.m.

The city said the release was not part of the combined sewer overflow control system, which is designed to prevent stormwater and sewage overflows during rainy periods.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive