Heavy Rains Lead to Sewer Overflow in Willamette River

Signs will be posted warning people to avoid contact with the water in the Willamette River due to potentially high levels of bacteria.

Salem saw waters rise last year in the Willamette River. Photo by Lela Taylor

(SALEM, Ore.) - Recent rainfall combined with saturated ground conditions have resulted in the City of Salem overflowing diluted raw sewage into the Willamette River. The Union Street diversion structure activated at approximately 8:31 PM. David A. Prock with Salem's Wastewater Collection Services, says that when the ground becomes saturated, groundwater enters the sanitary sewer from cracks and holes in the pipes in addition to footing drains and other sources of extraneous water from private property. When this occurs, the ability of the sewer system to transport sewage to the water pollution control facility is exceeded and the system becomes surcharged. When these conditions become severe enough, the diversion structure activates to avoid damaging property from sanitary sewer backups and basement flooding. Signs will be posted warning people to avoid contact with the water in the Willamette River due to potentially high levels of bacteria. The signs will be removed once the bacteria levels return to normal.