Sewage spill was from private pipe

Investigators have determined Sunday’s sewage leak in Portland came from a privately owned pipe, not a city sewer line, officials said Wednesday.

A sewer line was mistakenly connected to a privately owned pipe for rainwater, according to the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

Crews continue to clean up the sewage spillage and investigators are still trying to pinpoint the exact source of the sewage pipe’s connection to the rainwater pipe.

Officials are warning the public to continue to stay away from two Southwest Portland creeks after about 27,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the waters.

The sewage spilled into Woods Creek in the 6100 block of Southwest Canby Street on Sunday. Woods Creek feeds into Fanno Creek.

The bureau is investigating the cause of the spill and working on repairs, said spokeswoman Diane Dulken. Most sewage spills are caused when grease, tree roots or other debris block pipes, she said.