Sewage spills lead to brief ‘closure’ warning for Alki, but that’s no longer in effect

(Click for current “live” map of closures)

Thanks to everybody who called our attention to a state alert about sewage spills that briefly led to a warning to stay out of the water at multiple beaches including Alki. That “closure” is no longer in effect, according to a state update. But just so you know what happened:

The Washington Department of Ecology is investigating sewage treatment failures at King County’s two largest sewage treatment plants. The following is the latest information Ecology has on the unauthorized discharges at the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and Renton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Early this morning, the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant released an estimated 3 million gallons of untreated sewage for approximately 27 minutes, after backup pumping systems failed during power disruptions at the plant. The system diverted incoming wastewater to an emergency outfall near North Beach in Discovery Park.

On July 18, there was a different power failure at the county’s Renton Wastewater Treatment Plant, resulting in potentially limited disinfection of treated wastewater. This limited disinfection lasted approximately 50 minutes. The Renton plant discharges into Puget Sound, about two miles offshore, northwest of Duwamish Head in Seattle.

Ecology is investigating both incidents as unauthorized discharges that would violate the state’s water quality permits for the facilities. The county reported the incidents to Ecology. Ecology anticipates taking necessary enforcement actions after its full investigation.

The release of sewage into Puget Sound has prompted local health departments to issue several beach closures. Ecology keeps a list of current beach closures online. We advise the public to check with their local health departments for beach closure updates.

If you scroll down this page, you’ll see the list in King County has been revised to ONLY Discovery Park beaches. Alki is OK.

10 Replies to "Sewage spills lead to brief 'closure' warning for Alki, but that's no longer in effect"

  • anonyme July 19, 2019 (5:14 pm)

    Picked up the stink in Arbor Heights, although stink is putting it mildly.  Seriously nasty, had to go inside and close the windows.    Wonder what the effects are on the ecosystem?  Another major fail for this facility and its management.

    • WSB July 19, 2019 (5:38 pm)

      That may be the Fauntleroy stench, which I’ve had a note in queue about, waiting for the weather to warm back up.

      • miws July 19, 2019 (6:21 pm)

        I was on an outbound C-Line bus yesterday around 11:00 a.m., and as we stopped at the bus stop at the Fauntleroy Dock, picked up the Fauntleroy Stench. —Mike

  • flimflam July 19, 2019 (6:29 pm)

    it seems that basic infrastructure is really not on any local “leaders'” to do list – not edgy and exciting enough.

    • Mike July 20, 2019 (7:50 am)

      Ding ding ding!  Infrastructure is a long term thing, these politicians only care about getting to the next level.  Sadly, the rapid increase in development to support ‘density’ is now taking its toll on our infrastructure and we’re all going to deal with the real life crap it dumps on us.  Voters, please take this into consideration, now’s the time to use your vote to determine the future of our city.  Now is the time to decide if natural habitat for wildlife is important.  Now is the time to decide if you want to live in a city like Detroit or make Seattle better.  Vote.

  • Lola July 20, 2019 (6:44 am)

    Don’t know that I would want to go in the Water after they named so many parks with the closure? Not sure what keeps happening at these Sewage Treatment plants, but they really need to get their act together.  They say that it may even travel to the other side over to Bremerton and Bainbridge over the next week.  Thanks but no thanks. 

  • Ronnie July 20, 2019 (7:12 am)

    Let’s kick out the useless Seattle leadership who is more occupied with battling Trump then actually doing their jobs… Need I remind you this is the third time in recent history raw sewage leaked into our waters… Nobody was punished for the massive one a couple years ago…so why does anyone there care if it happens again… Seriously folks this is only one instance where Seattle leadership is FAILING!!! Let get actual city managers in there soon during this next election! We can do it!!!

    • WSB July 20, 2019 (8:07 am)

      The processing facilities are NOT run by the city – they’re run by the county.
      https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wtd/system/west.aspx

      Your King County Councilmember is Joe McDermott.

      • Mike July 20, 2019 (11:36 am)

        Unfortunately, the politicians that made the decisions to get rid of employees that monitor the pumps, cut budget for maintenance, are long gone from King County.  Your vote now for every level of government has a long lasting impact on all of us.  

    • Deborah Mary Clouse July 21, 2019 (7:43 am)

      We always hear that they lost power! Where is the back up generator. Plan B. This is disgusting.

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