Sewage winds up in Fore River, Casco Bay due to ruptured pipe, officials say

City officials in South Portland said some sewage wound up in the Fore River and Casco Bay because of a rupture in a pipe that carries sewage to a wastewater treatment plant.The South Portland Water Resource Protection Department (WRP) said the rupture in the Main Street Pump Station force main happened at about 12:30 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Main and Lincoln streets.According to officials, WRP staff were on site within an hour to secure the site and minimize the release of sewage discharge into the river and the bay.The WRP said Gorham Sand & Gravel crews are on site to repair the ruptured pipe, and service to the pump station is expected to be fully restored by the end of the day.Officials said traffic impacts are expected to be minimal, but the area of Main Street near the rupture is down to one lane due to construction.The WRP said the pipe that ruptured is approximately 50 years old and is scheduled to be entirely replaced within the next year. The department said it is working to replace the most problematic part of the piping system soon to prevent future breaks.People who seek more information can call the WRP at 207-767-7675.