New sewage spill again prompts closure of Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway
The second sewage spill in a month prompted the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to warn people to stay out of the Thea Foss Waterway on Tuesday.
The two spills are unrelated, the health department said.
Tuesday’s spill came from an overflow at Court D and South 9th Street. The city of Tacoma estimated 4,800 gallons of sewage spilled.
“We recommend you stay out of the water,” the health department said in a statement. “Bacteria and viruses in wastewater can cause stomach and other illnesses.”
Lab results from Tuesday’s spill won’t be available until later this week. The results will allow the health department to determine if the waterway can be reopened or if further testing is needed.
Warning signs have been posted on the Foss Waterway.
The April 24 spill came from an unknown source and was under investigation by the state Department of Ecology.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 6:11 PM.
