PORT LUDLOW — Jefferson County Public Health has issued a “no contact” health advisory for Port Ludlow Bay and posted closure signs after treated sewer sludge flooded the beach Wednesday.
The health advisory remains in effect until further notice.
The public is advised to avoid any contact with the water in Port Ludlow Bay, including swimming, kayaking, fishing and harvesting of shellfish and seaweed.
The harvesting of shellfish is always closed in Port Ludlow due to the proximity of the sewage treatment plant outfall and marina.
Olympic Water and Sewer officials reported the release of sewage at the Port Ludlow Wastewater Treatment Plant on Wednesday.
An upstream community stormwater culvert had plugged and diverted the stormwater to the treatment plant property.
Water flooded the site, and one 9,000-gallon tank containing biosolids — or treated sewer sludge — was inundated, causing the contents to mix with the stormwater, which was then flowing onto the beach.
Workers cleared the culvert blockage, returning the stormwater to its proper course and the plant to normal operation, the company said.
But it issued a warning to residents “pending any additional instructions which may be issued by the Jefferson County Health Department.”
For more information on the county advisory, contact Jefferson County Public Health’s Water Quality Program at 360-385-9444 or visit www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.
