What causes a sewerage backup?
Sewerage backups (including overflows) can be caused by pipeline failures, debris
blockages (i.e. rocks, sticks, lumber, toys, roots, etc.), excessive flows
(typically, due to significant rainfall events), damage by contractors, power or
mechanical failures at public lift stations, settlement or movement of the soil
adjacent to the pipe. The publicly owned sewer lines that are operated by the City
of Gresham are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Services
Wastewater Services Division.
What should I do if sewer backs up on or at my property?
If there is significant volume or continuous flow of sewage, contact the City of
Gresham Wastewater Services Division at (503) 618-2626 (regular business hours),
or (503) 661-3906 (evenings, holidays or weekends). Typically, if only a small
volume of flow occurs or the source is from an upper level of the structure the
problem is probably a private plumbing issue. You should contact a licensed
plumbing professional for assistance.
How can I protect my property from sewerage backups?
If your property is at risk (your lowest drain elevation is below the nearest
upstream manhole), the installation of a backwater valve would be recommended.
Contact the City of Gresham Plumbing Division at (503) 618-2830 for information
regarding the installation of a backwater valve. Insurance covering sewage
backups is also available; contact your insurance agent to discuss.
Is my health or my familys health at risk?
Contact with untreated sewage always carries a potential health risk. Family
members and pets should be evacuated from any contaminated buildings as soon
as possible.
How can the City assist me if I experience a sewerage back up?
The City will respond and provide initial clean-up of sewerage outside of the
buildings that poses a threat to public health. In some circumstances, an immediate
although limited cleanup of sewage clean-up within buildings may be completed at the
Citys expense by one of the Citys service providers (a private company under
contract with the City).
When will the City respond to my call?
A City Operations Supervisor is on-call 24 hours a day. A work crew will immediately
respond to the scene and evaluate the situation. They will take the steps necessary
to identify and eliminate the cause of the sewerage overflow in the public wastewater
system and provide preliminary cleanup in some circumstances.
Who will pay for the cleanup?
In some cases the immediate, limited cleanup of sewage will be completed at city
expense. And in certain circumstances, a limited amount of relief funding may also
be made available by the City to install backwater valves, provide additional cleanup,
repairs and replacement of property, and settle damage claims.
For more information, please contact the Wastewater Services Division at (503) 618-2538.