PORT LUDLOW — An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of waste water bubbled up from manholes, ran through bioswales and emptied into Ludlow Bay on Wednesday morning.
Olympic Water & Sewer company said that a failed pump in its electrical system caused the waste water to flow into the bay at about 7:45 a.m.
It was fixed in 15 minutes, the company said in a written statement, with the pump repaired and the overflow stopped by 8 a.m.
The company president said he doesn’t expect long-term damage or impact from the spill.
“We worked through the day and took water quality samples, which are being analyzed now,” said Larry Smith, president of Olympic Water & Sewer Inc.
“We don’t expect to find any fecal coliform in the water, but it’s a precaution we are taking.”
Over the next few days, treatment-plant flow records will be analyzed to determine a more accurate estimate of the volume of the incident, the company statement said.
The failed pump caused an internal electrical system failure, the company said. That failure prevented a second pump from starting, which caused the backup and overflow.
Failure said to be unusual
The alarm system did not recognize the failure because it was unusual, the statement said, and company officials are investigating possible electrical modifications to the alarm system to prevent a recurrence.
“It was an unusual mechanical situation and it was contained quickly after it was discovered,” Smith said.
In addition, Olympic Water & Sewer has retained outside consultants to direct water quality tests in Ludlow Bay.
Test results will not be known for several days, but the consultants’ preliminary assessment is that little damage was caused, and there will be no long-term affects, according to the statement.
Investigators with the state Department of Ecology, which regulates waste water systems and the state Department of Health and Shellfish Program, also are looking into the spill.
Port Ludlow residents with questions about the incident can phone Smith at 360-437-8246.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
