Problems with the sanitary sewer system (the collection system) and also the storm sewer system (surface drainage water) should be reported to the Public Works Department.

 

If the problem is only with one fixture (sink or toilet), it is likely that the problem is in the private system and  you should contact a plumber. If there is a problem with the entire building or home you should check with adjacent buildings to see if they too are having problems. If more than one building is having problems, the the City system is the likely culprit.

 

Maintenance of building sewers is the responsibility of the property owner, if a plumber cannot resolve your issue please call the Public Works Department at (503) 769-2919 or if it is an emergency please call (503) 769-3421.

The sewer treatment plant was originally built in the early 1960s and underwent several upgrades over the next several decades but in the mid-1990s it was determined that the current treatment plant was undersized and had reached the end of its useful life. City Council members along with staff determined that building a new treatment plant would better serve the citizens than to try to upgrade the original plant one more time.

 

In 1995 construction on the current treatment plant was started and a state-of-the-art plant was built and has served the City well since its inception. However, over the course of 20 years the plant began to show its age and limited capacity and so in 2012 the city council chose to put the plant through a major upgrade.

 

The costs of completing these upgrades was taken on as a low interest 40 year loan that is paid back through customer payments over the life of the loan.

NO! You may take all unwanted medications to local pharmacies who will be able to dispose of them properly. Please do not flush medicines down the drain as the treatment facility was not designed to remove these types of chemicals from the water. Medicines that are flushed breakdown in the collection system and end up being sent out to the river causing harm to fish and other aquatic life and to recreational users of the river.