January 30, 2017

Correction to No-contact advisory issued for Dyes Inlet

Sewer spill into Mosher Creek leads to seven-day advisory and monitoring

 KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The Kitsap Public Health District has issued a no-contact advisory for Dyes Inlet through Fri., Feb. 3 due to a sewage spill.  Signs are being posted at public access points including Anna Smith Park, Old Mill Park, and the Silverdale Waterfront Park.  Monitoring for indicator bacteria will commence today. 

According to Kitsap County Public Works, the spill began at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at a pump station under construction near Conifer Drive.  The 90,000 gallon sewage spill impacted Mosher Creek which feeds into Dyes Inlet. The cause of the failure was piping material failure in the by-pass set up for the construction of the new pump station.

During a no-contact advisory, the public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area.  This means no swimming, wading, or types of water play where water could be swallowed or get in the mouth, nose or eyes.  People should also avoid direct skin contact if possible, and immediately wash with soap and water if they have exposure to the water.  

The size of the spill changes the response to include monitoring of indicator bacteria in the affected waters.  Samples will be taken in Mosher Creek, the mouth of Mosher Creek on Dyes Inlet, Silverdale Waterfront Park, Anna Smith Park, Old Mill Park, the Tracyton Boat Ramp, Lions Park, and in the North Dyes Inlet shellfish growing area.

There is an ongoing recreational shellfish harvesting closure for a good portion of shoreline in Dyes due to pollution.  For up-to-date information on shellfish harvesting throughout Kitsap County, visit www.kitsappublichealth.org/shellfish. 

Kitsap Public Health provides information on shellfish harvesting, beach closures and other public health topics via the District’s website, Facebook page, and the Kitsap Electronic Notification System (KENS). Sign-up at www.kitsappublichealth.org/subscribe. 

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For more information on the sewage spill, please contact:
Patrick Kongslie
Kitsap County Public Works
(360) 337-5768 - Office
pkongslie@co.kitsap.wa.us

For more information on the no-contact advisory, please contact:

Karen McKay Bevers
Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office
360-710-1914 – mobile

karen.bevers@kitsappublichealth.org .