No-contact advisory in effect through Jan. 3.



KPHD - small [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]  
________________________________________________________________________

advisory text

Dec. 27, 2022

No-contact advisory issued for Liberty Bay due to sewage overflow
________________________________________________________________________

"No-contact advisory in effect through Jan. 3."

The affected shoreline is highlighted below: 

liberty bay sewage spill map [ [link removed] ]

Approximate location of sewage spill noted with bullseye.

________________________________________________________________________

*Affected area: *Liberty Bay

*No-Contact Advisory: *A no-contact advisory is in effect through Jan. 3. 

*NOTE*: A no-contact advisory is already in effect [ [link removed] ] through Jan. 2 for marine water in the area of Keyport and the entrance to Liberty Bay. Go to kitsappublichealth.org/beaches [ [link removed] ] to view current water contact advisories. 

During a no-contact advisory, the public is advised to avoid contact with water in the affected area. The Health District recommends against swimming, wading, or types of water recreation that could cause water to be swallowed or get into the mouth, nose or eyes. People should also avoid direct skin contact if possible, and immediately wash with soap and clean water if they have exposure to the water. 

Signs will be posted at public access points.

*In addition to posted sewage spills, rain and snowmelt are causing heavy stormwater runoff in many areas of Kitsap County.* Avoid contact with stormwater and marine water contaminated by stormwater runoff. Do not harvest shellfish in areas contaminated by stormwater runoff. 

Check the state shellfish safety map [ [link removed] ] for current shellfish closures. 

For more information, visit kitsappublichealth.org/beaches [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

Incident details

Source of pollution: Combined sewage overflow reported by Poulsbo Public Works.

Spill volume: Estimate not available. Overflow was ongoing as of 1 p.m.

Date of incident: Dec. 27

Contact: 360-779-4078

________________________________________________________________________

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SEWAGE SPILL ADVISORIES
________________________________________________________________________

sewage 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 [ [link removed] ].


* Kitsap Public Health does regulate onsite sewage (septic) systems in Kitsap County. You can learn more about septic system regulations here [ [link removed] ]. 
________________________________________________________________________

*How are sewage spills reported? *

* 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. 


* Kitsap Public Health gathers information on the spill, including volume, effluent type, duration, location, impacted areas, and more.  


* 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).


* If appropriate, we issue advisories (typically a 7-day no-contact advisory and 21-day shellfish harvesting advisory).


* We notify the public via signs at public access points, email and text notifications [ [link removed] ], website updates [ [link removed] ], and posts on Facebook [ [link removed] ], Twitter [ [link removed] ], and Instagram [ [link removed] ]. 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 [ [link removed] ]

KPHD PHAB [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]


KPHD Logo

*Contact us:*

Email <[email protected]> or call 360-728-2235

*Stay connected with Kitsap Public Health:* Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Instagram [ [link removed] ]Vimeo [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]


*Manage your subscriptions: *
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Kitsap County Washington · 619 Division Street · Port Orchard, WA 98366 · 360-337-5777 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]