Sewage spill advisory issued for creek, holding basin in Pierce County following rains
Not only did heavy rains bring flooding and landslides to the area, but a sewage spill also was reported in a local creek and holding basin.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department late Friday issued a sewage spill advisory for Flett Creek Holding Basin near Lakewood and Flett Creek.
“Because of a broken sewer line and heavy rain, sewage is discharging into Flett Creek Holding Basin and Flett Creek, which runs into Chambers Bay,” the department said Friday.
The health department noted that “People and pets should avoid the water and not swim, wade, or fish until further notice in these areas.”
According to the city of Tacoma’s stormwater system explainer online, “Downstream, Flett Creek flows into Chambers Creek, a salmonid-bearing stream, which discharges into Chambers Bay then to the Narrows.”
Coming into contact with contaminated water “can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses,” the health department noted in its advisory.
If you do come into contact, health officials recommending showering with specific attention to hand washing “before you eat if you’ve been in contact with the water or sand.”
This story was originally published January 8, 2022 at 12:34 PM.
