Sewage spill closes Riverdale Grade School playground

A sewage spill from a maintenance hole to the playground of Riverdale Grade School has by stopped by Portland city crews.

An estimated 4,000 gallons of sewage was released before Bureau of Environmental Services crews stopped the release at 11733 S. Breyman St. on the afternoon of Thursday, July 25. The release was stopped and the sewer line was cleared out within an hour of crews responding.

The playground is closed to protect the public and to allow the school to clean the site. The school has posted the closure notice to its website, and city crews have posted advisory signs in the area.

The cause is under investigation.

The environmental services bureau operates the city’s sewer system and stormwater management program. It reminds the public that most sewage releases are preventable. The most common causes of sewage overflows are pipes clogged with household debris such as cooking grease sent down kitchen drains or wet wipes that are flushed. Both belong in the trash, not down the drain. Tree roots are another common cause.

To prevent released, environmental services urges the public to follow these tips to prevent clogs and overflows in homes and businesses:

Only flush human waste and toilet paper (wet wipes are NOT flushable).Never pour grease down drains: Collect grease, oil, and fat in a can and then into the garbage. Grease that is liquid when poured down drains will become solid once in pipes.Don’t put anything down storm drains, which are intended for rainfall only.