PORTLAND -- Recent rainfall prompted health officials to issue a sewer overflow warning for recreational use on the Willamette River Tuesday.
The public should avoid the Willamette River for 48 hours after the rain has stopped. It is especially important to avoid recreational activities-such as water skiing, jet skiing or swimming-during which water could be swallowed, according to Environmental Services.
Health officials said that people who fish in the Willamette should also wash their hands following contact with the water.
“Those who choose to eat fish caught in the Willamette River during a CSO event should cook the fish thoroughly to kill bacteria,” added Linc Mann, with Environmental Services.
In many areas of Portland, sewage mixes with stormwater runoff in a combined sewer system. When the combined sewers receive too much runoff, they overflow into the Willamette River.
Portland is in the 19th year of a 20-year program to improve the city's sewer system. Until the program is complete in December 2011, overflows of untreated sewage and stormwater will continue to occur during rainstorms.
