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Update - May 20, 2022
Final testing for E. coli in the Willamette River from Milwaukie Bay Park to Sellwood Riverfront Park was completed on Wednesday, May 18. All samples were well below the Oregon Water Quality Numeric Criteria. Posted signs advising the public to avoid contact with the water have been removed.
Avoid contact with the river until 1 p.m. Wednesday
Oregon City, May 17, 2022- Community members are encouraged to avoid contact with the Willamette River between the Milwaukie Bay Park and the Sellwood Bridge until 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.
At 11:15 AM, Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) crews performing routine maintenance on the Ultraviolet Disinfection system noticed that wastewater in the final stages of being cleaned was released into the Willamette River at the Kellogg Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility without disinfection. Approximately 350,000 gallons of mostly treated wastewater entered the river between 10:20 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. WES crews resolved the issue immediately upon discovery, and operations are returned to normal.
This facility cleans approximately seven million gallons of wastewater each day.
There is no threat to drinking water. WES crews are placing warning signs encouraging people to avoid contact with the river. WES will continue to test the river water quality, and state and local agencies have been notified.