Swimmers advised to avoid Owen Beach water after sewage spill

Beach-goers should avoid the water at Point Defiance for the time being, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Thursday.

The agency put up warning signs at Owen Beach after what health officials described as a small sewage spill.

They’ll take down the signs Friday morning, after the tide takes care of the problem.

Bacteria and viruses in sewage can lead to illness, the health department said.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 8:07 PM with the headline "Swimmers advised to avoid Owen Beach water after sewage spill."