Portland’s East End beach and trail closed Thursday after about a million gallons of partially treated sewage spilled out of a Maine wastewater treatment plant and into Casco bay.
Scott Firman with the Portland Water District says the sewage overflowed when valves that should have been reopened after maintanence were inadvertently left closed.
"When the flows picked up this morning because of the rain, the water had nowhere to go because of those two valves, and that's what resulted in that observed overflow," Firman says.
Firman says the wastewater was far enough along in the treatment process that it was about a half hour from being released into the bay. However, there are still concerns about possible elevated levels of bacteria. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued a statement that said staff from the Health Beaches Program took water samples Thursday morning, which are currently being analyzed.
A spokesperson told the AP that it was the first time the plant had experienced an overflow of this kind. In a Facebook post, the Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department called it "a complete washout."
Update: Trail will be closed until Wednesday, 8/1. Contractor will work all weekend. East End Beach has been closed for swimming & remain closed until water test results are available tomorrow. Trail detour signs will be going up soon to direct people around. #PortlandME https://t.co/jjBx6YBev0
— City of Portland, Maine (@CityPortland) July 26, 2018
The popular trail damaged by the overflow is closed, and barricades have been placed around the sections that are unsafe. The public is advised to avoid the area until further notice.
A representative for the city said that they are working with a contractor from the Portland Water District, and that they hope to reopen the trail August 1.
This report will be updated.