Grease-Clogged Sewer Line Causes Sewage Overflow On Foster Road

PORTLAND, OR – Grease is the word. That's what caused a sewage overflow on Tuesday morning.

Officials with Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services say that around 8:30 on Tuesday morning, grease-clogged sewer lines sent sewage on to the 11600 block of Southeast Foster Road.

About 1,000 gallons spilled out. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

Most of the sewage was directed by crew to two street planters on either side of the road where they were able to contain it.

Nearby Johnson Creek was not affected.

The city says that sewage overflows often are preventable.

Pipes that become blocked with grease, tree roots, and debris are the most common cause of sewage overflows. Environmental Services advises the public to protect public health, property and our environment by following these tips:

• Place grease in a container and then in the trash, not down kitchen drains. Food establishments are required to take additional measures to prevent grease from entering sewer lines.
• Avoid flushing rags or wipes or anything other than toilet paper and human waste.
• Outside the home, avoid pouring anything down storm drains, which are intended for rainfall only.

Crews had the scene cleaned up about one hour later.

File photo of BES response to a sewer overflow via BES.