Health advisories issued for Liberty Bay and portion of Port Orchard Passage due to sewage spill

No-contact advisory in effect through Dec. 8. Shellfish harvesting advisory in effect through Dec. 22.

The affected shoreline is highlighted below: 

Approximate location of sewage spill noted with bullseye.

Affected area: East shoreline of Kitsap Peninsula from the 14000 block of Sandy Hook Road NE to the 13000 block of S Keyport Road NE, including all of Liberty Bay and Keyport. West shoreline of Bainbridge Island from the intersection of NE Morris Boulevard and Sunset Avenue NE to Battle Point. See map. 

No-Contact Advisory: A no-contact advisory is in effect through Dec. 8. 

During a no-contact advisory, avoid contact with water in the affected area. We recommend against swimming, wading, or types of water recreation that could cause water to be swallowed or get into the mouth, nose, or eyes. Avoid direct skin contact with the water if possible, and immediately wash with soap and clean water if you have exposure to the water. 

Shellfish Harvesting Closure: A shellfish harvesting advisory is in effect through at least Dec. 22. 

The public is advised to not harvest shellfish in the affected area during this closure period. All existing shellfish advisories remain in effect. Go to doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety for details.

Signs will be posted at public access points.

For more information, visit kitsappublichealth.org/beaches.

Incident details

Source of pollution: Sewage spill reported by Kitsap County Public Works

Estimated spill volume: 127,500 gallons as of 4 p.m. on Dec. 2.

Date of incident: Dec. 2, 2024

Contact: 360-337-5777 (Kitsap County Public Works)

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SEWAGE SPILL ADVISORIES

What is Kitsap Public Health District's role in responding to sewage spills?

• As a public health agency, our role is to notify community members of potential health risks caused by sewage spills, so they can take steps to protect their health. Kitsap Public Health is not required to issue sewage advisories. Not all Washington jurisdictions choose to alert the public to sewage spills. We issue sewage spill advisories because we believe Kitsap residents should be aware when there is potentially harmful fecal pollution in our waterways. 
  
  
• Kitsap Public Health does not operate wastewater (sewage) utilities. These systems are operated and maintained by local wastewater purveyors, including county and city public works departments. 
  
  
• Kitsap Public Health does not regulate wastewater (sewage) utilities, meaning we do not issue permits for systems, inspect systems, or have authority to take enforcement action. The state Department of Ecology regulates wastewater systems.
  
  
• Kitsap Public Health does regulate onsite sewage (septic) systems in Kitsap County. You can learn more about septic system regulations here. 

How are sewage spills reported? 

1. When a spill is identified, the wastewater purveyor, such as a local city or county public works department, notifies Kitsap Public Health. Notification can occur 24 hours a day. 
   
   
2. Kitsap Public Health gathers information on the spill, including volume, effluent type, duration, location, impacted areas, and more.  
   
   
3. Depending on the spill location, we consult with the state Department of Health Shellfish Program to determine the expected impact from the spill (based on models the program has for marine waters).
   
   
4. If appropriate, we issue advisories (typically a 7-day no-contact advisory and 21-day shellfish harvesting advisory).
   
   
5. We notify the public via signs at public access points, email and text notifications, website updates, and posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In addition, advisories are often reported in local news media and shared by other government agencies and community organizations. 

Why are sewage spills a public health risk?

• Wastewater or sewage contains human fecal matter (poop). Fecal matter can carry bacteria and viruses that cause diseases, such as giardia, cholera, hepatitis A, shigella, salmonella, and viral gastroenteritis. 
  
  
• Sewage spills can discharge waste into streams or ocean water, increasing the risk of illness for people who have contact with the water. Waste from sewage spills can also pollute shellfish, increasing the risk of illness for people who eat shellfish. 
  
  
• It can be difficult to measure the actual health risks associated with sewage spills. Risk varies depending on how much sewage was spilled, whether the sewage was treated or untreated, the size of the waterbody the spill affected, water currents, and many other factors. Different activities also carry different risks. For example, swimming in polluted water has a much higher risk than wading along a beach or paddling in a kayak.
  
  
• We issue no-contact advisories as a precaution to prevent people from getting sick. We recommend people avoid contact with water in the area for at least a week after a sewage spill and avoid harvesting shellfish in the area for at least three weeks after a sewage spill. In general, people should avoid any activity that could result in the contaminated water getting into their mouth or eyes and should wash thoroughly if they have contact with the water. 

For more information about this public health advisory issued by the Kitsap Public Health District, please contact:  

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 office  |  (360) 728-2235 - main
[email protected]     kitsappublichealth.org