Sewage Spill Contaminates Percival Creek in Washington
Percival Creek, Capitol Lake and inner Budd Inlet experienced a sewage spill that contaminated the waters, according to Thurston County, Washington.
According to The Olympian, approximately 735 gallons of sewage streamed into the Tumwater storm water system and then into Percival Creek on Dec. 27.
The source of the spill is a blockage in a sanitary sewer line on Somerset Hill Drive Southwest, according to the county.
Tumwater initially estimated 3,000 gallons of sewage was discharged. Public health officials advised the public to avoid touching the water at Percival Creek, Capitol Lake and inner Budd Inlet until at least 9 a.m. Dec. 30, reported The Olympian.
Tumwater public works staff confirmed the spill around 9 a.m. Dec. 27 and removed the blockage in the sewer line, most of which already entered the storm water system.
Percival Creek runs from Trosper Lake through Tumwater and into Percival Cove, which is connected to Capitol Lake. Somerset Hill Drive is located just south of South Puget Sound Community College’s Olympia campus.
In May 2020, a similar spill discharged 1,400 gallons of raw sewage per hour into Percival Creek, reported The Olympian. About 232,560 gallons of sewage ultimately entered the creek and the state Department of Ecology fined the city of Olympia $15,000.
In February 2020, about 30,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Percival Creek after a falling tree damaged a pedestrian bridge, a water pipe and a sewer pipe.
Residents with questions about the most recent spill can contact Dave Kanisger from city of Tumwater Water Resources at 360-754-4144.
