Landslide sends sewage into water along Tacoma’s Ruston Way
A landslide broke a pipe and spilled raw sewage into Commencement Bay on Tuesday evening along the Ruston Way waterfront, according to the city of Tacoma. Swimmers and others are being advised to stay out of the water.
The line broke near the 3700 block of North Union Ave., according to city spokeswoman Stacy Ellifritt. An unknown amount of sewage then flowed down the slope and into the bay.
The sewage came from a collection system line that leads to the North End Treatment Plant.
The distance between the break area and the shoreline is about 700 feet, according to Google maps.
After city crews stopped the flow, the city’s environmental services department began repairs. Once temporary repairs are made, a contractor will take over the work, Ellifritt said.
“While assessing the damage and determining the repairs that need to be made, a pump-around system is in place to stop the flow,” Ellifritt said. “Environmental Services is testing materials found downstream from the flow.”
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has issued an advisory and posted signs with advisories to stay out of the water at Les Davis Pier.
The health department said water contamination testing results will be available Friday. If necessary, testing will continue on Monday. Raw sewage can carry bacteria and viruses, the department said.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 1:08 PM.
