Stay out of the water in South Alki: Sewer overflow in Constellation Park area (updated)

| Environment | Health | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

2:40 PM: Just in, word of a different water problem. The King County Wastewater Treatment Division is reporting a sewer overflow. at Constellation Park:

King County Wastewater Treatment Division crews are responding to a brief sewer overflow at the 63rd Avenue Pump Station, located near Constellation Park in the 3500 block of Beach Drive SW in West Seattle.

Out of an abundance of caution, please avoid contact with the water until more information is available.

Our Community Services team is placing signage along the beach and notifying nearby residents.

We will share updates and any public health guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County at kingcounty.gov/WTD-Incident-Response as more information becomes available.

If you have any questions, please call our incident response hotline at 206-296-7432.

The announcement didn’t say how much had overflowed, nor what led to it – in particular, whether it was related to work their crews were already doing in that area – so we’re asking those questions and will update when we get answers.

(Added: Photo sent by Reiner Peery)

ADDED 5:54 PM: Some new info from the WTD:

On June 17, crews were replacing a flow control gate near the 63rd Avenue Pump Station in West Seattle. Around 10 a.m., they discovered that another gate — used to isolate upstream flow — was leaking. As a result, untreated wastewater was released into Puget Sound through the pump station’s offshore emergency outfall.

By 11:30 a.m., crews stopped the leak. The King County Environmental Lab also collected water quality samples from the area.

We have notified regulatory agencies. Public Health – Seattle & King County will provide official safety guidance after evaluating the water sample results. Meanwhile, people and pets should continue to avoid contact with the water in the area out of an abundance of caution.

This construction project was scheduled for this week because flows are lower during dry weather.

Niko June 17, 2026 (3:06 pm)

Why is it that when a small place like harbor West has a leak they sound all the alarm bells put us at defcon 4 and close the beaches for weeks but when they do it it’s oh only out of an abundance of caution and they barely handle the situation seriously. It’s ridiculous! I’m sure there will be a small slap on the wrist fine and no one will be fired or held responsible

Jim June 17, 2026 (3:06 pm)

Yikes Thanks for the heads up There were so many people out there yesterday exploring things I wonder if the leak was active at that point

hutchwood June 17, 2026 (3:22 pm)

wow, even more unfortunate during low tide crowds in the area

Peterman June 17, 2026 (4:01 pm)

After seeing so many people making impassioned pleas against dogs polluting our City beaches, this seems timely.

North Admiral Neighbor June 17, 2026 (5:37 pm)

The issue with dogs at our beaches isn’t pollution, it’s them chasing and interacting with our wildlife. Hopefully we’ll continue to see strong enforcement from the park rangers and animal control along with some public shaming of those who think they are above the rules.
- Anne June 17, 2026 (6:22 pm)
  
  “ continue to see strong enforcement”? How about we START to see strong enforcement.
- mediancat June 18, 2026 (1:20 pm)
  
  The dogs-not-allowed-on-public-beach issue does indeed include feces on the beach. To grasp that this is a real thing, look up the water quality off the dog park in Edmonds. It’s pretty much permanently bad.
  
  https://gis.ecology.wa.gov/portal/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3d9b315359e442309856b372ecf12f59
  
  Permanent swimming advisory A permanent swimming advisory is posted at this beach because of high bacteria levels. The source of pollution is primary pet waste since this is an off leash dog park.
flimflam June 17, 2026 (5:55 pm)

False equivalence – one is accidental, one is entitled and on purpose.
Neighbor June 18, 2026 (1:30 am)

Right, I don’t want dog or human waste on the beach. The no dogs policy also protects wildlife. I have seen the birds flee when a dog appears at Constellation park. They’re a beautiful part of the ecosystem that is ruined by entitled dog owners who never even see the harm they cause.

JTinWS June 17, 2026 (5:42 pm)

Dang. I knew I should have trusted my gut that something was off when I saw that crew working on the sewer right across the street yesterday. But we joined the crowds tidepooling at low tide.

KM June 18, 2026 (9:53 pm)

What are the lines in the image? What’s the impact to Alki? There were two elementary schools there yesterday afternoon plunging for the last day of school.

Jenny June 19, 2026 (6:48 pm)

I live 100 ft from constellation Park and there are still people in the water and on the beaches as of 6/19/2026 @6:48 p.m.

Jenny June 19, 2026 (6:51 pm)

There are two little warning signs not nearly enough to notice or protect anyone. There are people paddle boarding from other areas right into the sewage.

Sorry, comment time is over.