Large sewage leak closes Tacoma lake

Wards Lake in Tacoma, is closed to swimming after a sewer line backed up, leading to a 20,000 gallon sewage leak.

City public works manager John O’Loughlin says it’s also possible the sewage might be completely contained in a holding basin near the lake.

“It’s a rather substantial holding basin and there’s not a lot of flow coming out of that basin into Wards Lake this time of year,” explained O’Laughlin.

The overflow was the result of asphalt from a paving project getting into a sewer line Tuesday.

“It sat there until it caused enough of a back-up that the sewage, late that evening, started flowing out of the tops of the manholes and into the gutters and down the street to a catch basin,” O’Laughlin said.

While water quality testing is underway, Wards Lake is closed to swimmers and warning signs are posted.