Hayesville sewer main blockage sends 3,000 gallons of untreated waste into Claggett Creek

A blockage Saturday in a Hayesville sewer main resulted in some 3,000 gallons of untreated sewage going into Claggett Creek, a tributary of the Willamette River, according to Salem Public Works staff. 

The blockage was discovered by public works employees at 4:46 p.m. Saturday at 4645 Herrin Road NE, and was removed by 10 p.m. 

Workers do not yet know what caused the blockage, according to Heather Dimke, public information officer with the Salem Public Works Department. 

Crews will wait until Tuesday, following the President's Day holiday, to use a camera to determine the source. 

Dimke said sewer overflows occur once or twice a year and are usually caused by tree roots, debris build-up or rain.

Overflows are "unfortunate, but crews try to get out and stop them as fast as possible," she said. 

The story will be updated when more information is available. 

Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6657. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

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