Thurston County Health Department released the following press release today:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 07, 2011Contacts:
Art Starry, Environmental Health Director, 360-867-2587
Sue Davis, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, 360-867-2643
SEWAGE SPILL IMPACTS BUDD INLET
Thurston County Health Department advises citizens to avoid all water contact activities in lower Budd Inlet for seven days following a sewage spill that occurred Thursday, January 5th. Untreated sewage was discharged from a pump station into the West Bay area of Budd Inlet for about 90 minutes between noon and 5:00 PM Thursday, after a sewer line began leaking. The city of Olympia estimates that approximately 32,930 gallons of sewage spilled into the inlet and approximately 22,500 gallons of sewage spilled onto the ground. The city of Olympia repaired the sewer line and cleaned-up the immediate area.The Health Department advises citizens to avoid all water contact activities for seven days in lower Budd Inlet, south of a line drawn between Priest Point Park on the east shore and West Bay Marina on the west shore. There is an on-going advisory against shellfish harvesting and water contact recreation in this area.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.
An advisory has been issued for West Bay Park and Priest Point Park (this beach is posted with a permanent advisory for water contact). Visit the BEACH Map to see beach closures across the coast and sound. Surf the web before you surf the beach!
Jessica Bennett is the BEACH Program Data Manager.
She is available at 360-407-6159 or jessica.bennett@ecy.wa.gov for questions.
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