At least 3 popular beaches expected to open after earlier sewage spill
Jul 22, 2019, 6:25 AM
A sign at a Seattle beach warning that the water is contaminated after the West Point Treatment Plant spilled sewage into Puget Sound. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
At least three of nine popular beaches in King and Kitsap counties are expected to reopen Monday after 3 million gallons of sewage mixed with stormwater spilled into Puget Sound.
The spill was caused by a power outage at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle.
The closures remained in place as temperatures soared the last several days, and people who headed to several beaches were disappointed to see they were not supposed to have contact with the water and should avoid fishing and shellfishing.
Those that were closed in Kitsap County are expected to open Monday, and the water will likely be tested Monday around Discovery Park to see if conditions are safe.
“Having clean pure water is near and dear to our hearts, because it’s where we live. So, you want to make sure you’re protecting that resource,” said Karen Norton, who is visiting from Michigan.
King County sent out a news release Friday saying a quick response during the power outage prevented flooding at the plant. Workers sent “an estimated 3 million gallons of stormwater mixed with wastewater into Puget Sound through an emergency outfall pipe for 27 minutes,” a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks Wastewater Treatment Division wrote in the release.
In Kitsap County, there are three beaches that could reopen Monday — Fay Bainbridge Park, Indianola Dock, and Joel Pritchard Park.
Closed beaches in Seattle include:
- Alki Beach Park
- Carkeek Park
- Discovery Park: North and South Beach
- Elliott Bay Marina
- Golden Gardens Park
- Myrtle Edwards Park
- Pocket Park at 32nd Ave. W. (also known as Magnolia Tidelands Park)
- Port of Seattle Terminal 91
- Seacrest Park
Get updates on the closures at this link.
