City Lifts 'no contact' warning on Mill Creek after discovery of sewage spill on Sept. 23
From The City of The Dalles:
Water quality testing conducted at three locations near the 9th Street Bridge over Mill Creek in The Dalles shows that conditions have returned to normal for this time of year.
Please be aware that Mill Creek is posted with “No Trespassing” signs year-round throughout The Dalles to allow undisturbed fish spawning.
Signs, which were placed at locations of public river access on the Oregon shore of the Columbia River to warn of contaminated water, were taken down this afternoon, Sept. 29.
On Friday, September 23, 2022, a City of The Dalles Wastewater Collection crew conducted a routine weekly inspection at the manhole at the Ninth Street Bridge over Mill Creek. They found the lock had been broken and vandals had thrown rocks and concrete pieces into the manhole, causing a plugged sewer pipe.
Support Local News
Available to everyone; Funded by Readers
Sewage overflowed directly into Mill Creek and into the Columbia River. The sewer pipe was cleared and the pipe was repaired on the day the problem was found. No more sewage is overflowing.
Out of an abundance of caution, signs were posted on the Columbia River to allow adequate time for the spill to dissipate during a season of low flows in the creek.
The Department is in communication with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and local health department officials to coordinate demobilization. Questions can be directed to the Public Works Department office at (541) 296-5401.
