King County works with agencies to carry out clean up of Ravenna Creek

Ravenna Creek flows will be diverted into the King County wastewater treatment system beginning tonight to allow inspection and a more effective clean-up of a serious sewage spill that was discovered fouling the creek last week.

An estimated 8 million gallons of sewage overflowed from a stormwater pipe into the creek over a 10-day period ending May 23. The overflow occurred after county employees mistakenly diverted wastewater into the stormwater pipe during a county project to repair a wastewater regulator gate in the Lake City Tunnel.

King County, in coordination with state and local health and environmental agencies, will bring in vactor trucks on Monday to remove sediments in the upper reaches of the creek. The county Wastewater Treatment Division is working in coordination with the City of Seattle, state Department of Ecology, Public Health – Seattle & King County, University of Washington Health and Safety, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and King County Water and Land Resources Division.

The county is targeting the upper reaches of the creek from Northwest 45^th Street to Clark Road for sediment removal. In order to carry out the clean up as well as inspect the upstream reaches of the piped part of the creek (alongside University Village), King County will work with the City of Seattle to divert Ravenna Creek temporarily to the sewer system.

Access to the waterway will remain closed to swimmers and recreational boaters to protect public health and facilitate upcoming inspection and remediation work. King County will continue monitoring and provide sample data to Public Health, the Department of Ecology and the University of Washington. The area will be reopened when there is consensus that remediation efforts are complete and the area is safe for public access.

King County’s environmental lab will continue sampling for water quality, and closure signs will remain posted until Public Health gives permission to remove them.

No sicknesses have been reported as a result of the spill. Public Health reports that the risk for human illness associated with this event appears to be low, but that contact with sewage can result in gastrointestinal infections. Other symptoms can include respiratory, eye, ear, nose, throat and skin infections. People who become ill after exposure to the contaminated water should contact their health care provider.

Learn more about the wastewater spill and the county’s response online at
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/community/sewer-spill-response/0805-RavennaCreek.htm.

Related Information

Ravenna Creek Wastewater Spill

King County Wastewater Treatment Division