Further investigation shows no evidence of overflow at Clean Water Services’ Durham Facility

Hillsboro, OR — June 30, 2008 — Despite a power outage for nearly an hour last night at Clean Water Services’ Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Tigard, it appears that an overflow was averted. Officials with the agency reported this morning that physical investigation of the place where the overflow would have occurred showed no evidence of sewage overflow.

According to Mark Poling, Wastewater Treatment Department Director, “We were relieved that there was no overflow and that crews responded quickly to restore power to our facility. We will continue to investigate the cause of the outage to insure that all equipment works properly during storm events.”

As a precaution, signs were posted after the power outage as well as a news release warning the public to avoid contact with the river. These signs have been removed and the public can safely resume recreating on the river.

Clean Water Services is the water resources management utility for more than 500,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment plants, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.

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