Sewage spills reported at creeks in Fife, Fircrest after heavy rain in Pierce County
After record-setting levels of rain fell in Tacoma and Pierce County this week — causing flooding and landslides — the storm water overwhelmed sewer capacities, leading to combined sewer overflows that spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage into creeks in Fife and Fircrest.
The spills at Hylebos Creek in Fife and Leach Creek in Fircrest led the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to issue an advisory Wednesday telling people to stay out of the water. Spokesperson Kenny Via said 150,000 to 200,000 gallons of sewage spilled at Hylebos Creek and 112,000 gallons spilled at Leach Creek.
People and pets should avoid the water and not swim, wade or fish in those areas until further notice, according to the advisory. Contact with waters contaminated with fecal matter can result in illnesses such as gastroenteritis, skin rashes and upper respiratory infections.
Children and those who are immunocompromised could be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses, the health department said. It recommended that people shower after water contact and wash their hands before eating if they have come in contact with the water or sand.
Hylebos Creek drains into the Hylebos Waterway and Leach Creek drains into Chambers Creek. The advisory is likely to be lifted next week, Via said. The health department will be testing water samples to make sure the water is safe.
This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 8:39 AM.
