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~ ~ fir/ JANUARY 3, 1995 Public Works Administration CONTACT: Peter Ruffier, Wastewater Division Director, 984-8620 City of Eugene 858 Pearl Street From Public Information Section, 687-5523 Eugene, OR 97401 FOR DIATE RELEASE (503) 687-5262 S TARY SEWAGE OVERFLOWS INTO WILLAMETTE RIVER As a result of exceptionally heavy flows in rain-flooded sewer lines, a decision was made Friday eve ' g to temporarily release sanitary sewage directly into the Willamette River near the Greenway B cycle Bridge. The ity of Eugene determined that bypassing the Fillmore pump station was necessary to relieve flow in the regional sewage collection system. The heavy flow in the sewage lines is caused by infiltrati and inflow into the sewer system of water from the very heavy rains over the past week. Wa tewater treatment plant operators were able to maintain normal operations of the Fillmore pump statio until approximately 7:15 p.m., when it became necessary to bypass sewage to the river !i in order to educe the risk of sewage backing up onto streets and into local businesses and residences. Alt ugh the overflow presents a temporary risk to public health because of the bacteria which may be pre nt in the sewage, pollutants should quickly disperse in the flood waters of the Willamette. I!, Until furth r notice, the City is asking people to avoid any swimming, wading, or drinking of water ~II from the W llamette River for a distance of two miles downstream of the Greenway Bike Bridge. The pump station will be put back on line as soon as flows in the sewer system have subsided. Staff will c ntinue to monitor the overflow. The overflow should not harm fish or wildlife. ~I The use of emergency overflow from a sanitary sewer system is a common engineering I! practice des gned to protect public and private property from sewage backups and spills.