The City of Salem is warning people to stay away from the Little Pudding River downstream of a manhole at 4770 Glendale Avenue NE following an overflow of raw sewage into the river.
An estimated 5,000 gallons of diluted raw sewage overflowed into the river from about 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Saturday, city spokesperson Trevor Smith said.
Both of the city’s wastewater treatment plants — Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility and River Road Wet Weather Treatment Facility — were operating at their maximum capacity during heavy rainfall Saturday, Smith said.
Signs have been posted warning people to avoid contact with the water in the Little Pudding River. The city will take water quality samples until the results indicate bacteria levels have dropped.