Two beaches along Ruston Way are closed as officials investigate whether Monday’s storm caused the City of Tacoma’s sewage system to overflow.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has posted warning signs at Jack Hyde and Dickman Mill parks. They will remain closed until the health department does further testing next week to check for contamination.
The City of Tacoma had alerted state officials that a sewage spill was possible because of heavy rains earlier this week. A follow-up investigation after the storm indicated there was no overflow, a finding supported by a bacterial analysis of the water in the sewer system’s overflow vault.
The closures are a precautionary measure, the city said in a press release.
“It is better to err on the side of caution in these events to ensure public health and safety,” said Michael Slevin, the interim director of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department.
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