(January 22, 2021) – Last night, major flooding occurred near the corner of SE Roethe Rd and McLoughlin Blvd as a result of a blocked sanitary sewer pipe. The blocked pipe caused a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) into Boardman Creek where SE Roethe Rd crosses Boardman Creek. The overflow began at 7:40 p.m. on January 21, 2021. Staff found paper shop towels in the sanitary sewer line which was the cause of the flooding.

During an overflow and for 48 hours afterwards, the public is advised to avoid contact with standing water, creeks, and the river because of potentially increased bacteria in the water. Staff has placed a sign at the spill site to inform the public to avoid contact with the water. 

Paper shop towels, wipes, rags whether branded as “flushable” or otherwise, should never be flushed down into the sewer system. Most paper shop towels, wipes, and rags do not dissolve the way toilet paper disintegrates with liquids. Some wipes even have plastic woven into their fabrics causing it to wrap around pumps instead of flowing through the pump and into the sewer line. Thank you for helping us protect our community’s sanitary sewer infrastructure by not flushing wipes or rags.

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The Oak Lodge Water Services District is committed to creating a clean water environment and a healthy community. The District provides reliable drinking water, sanitary sewer, and watershed protection services to nearly 29,000 people in Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge, and portions of Milwaukie and Gladstone. The District was officially formed as of January 1, 2017.