MY EVERETT NEWS

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Getting word from the city of Everett that the heavy rainfall is overwhelming the city’s sewer system. Here’s the update as of 5:00pm…

Due to heavy rainfall in Everett, ten of twelve combined sewer outfalls overflowed into the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay today.  One of the sewer lift stations in the separated system also overflowed for approximately 55 minutes early afternoon.  The lift station was at full operations throughout this period.  Quantities are unknown at this time.

Everett has notified local agencies including State departments of Health and Ecology, Snohomish Health District and Port of Everett.

Overflows have occurred at Puget Sound Outfalls 01, 02, 05, 06, and 07; and at our Snohomish River Outfalls 01, 02, 04, 07, and 08. For locations and current status please go tohttp://www.everettwa.org/CSOMap/CSOMap.aspx.

The combined sewer overflow locations are identified by signs which are posted near each combined sewer outfall. These signs warn people not to swim or fish at these outfalls during rainstorms or for at least 24 hours following rainstorms.Combined sewer overflows contain bacteria and pathogens that could make someone sick if they swallow water or eat fish that have come in contact with combined sewer overflow.

Combined sewer systems are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe.  Most of the time, the combined sewer system conveys all of the wastewater to the Everett Water Pollution Control Facility, where it is treated and then discharged to either the Snohomish River or Port Gardner Bay.  During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, however, the wastewater volume in a combined sewer system can exceed the capacity of the sewer system.  For this reason, the combined sewer system is designed to overflow occasionally and discharge directly to the Snohomish River or Port Gardner Bay.

Here’s the latest on the sewage pipe break from Kate Reardon at the City of Everett…

City Public Works crews finished repair work at about 7:07 a.m. today on a 20-inch iron sewer pipe that broke this Thursday morning near the 11800 block of Silver Way and had spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage into North Creek.

Water quality samples have been taken, with results expected late today. The City is working with Snohomish and King counties, Bothell and Mill Creek to continue to sample the Creek water until it returns to normal urban creek conditions.

Avoiding contact with North Creek stream water is still highly advised until further notice. Signs have been posted in some areas along the Creek asking people to avoid contact.

Crews worked swiftly and diligently Thursday to create three diversion points, and by early afternoon Thursday, were able to significantly reduce the flow of sewage spilling into to North Creek.  The flow into the Creek was eliminated by midnight, with a moderate amount spilling into the Creek again during peak usage times between 6 to 7 a.m. this morning.

City workers were in contact throughout the event with multiple organizations and agencies such as the state departments of Ecology and Fish & Wildlife, the Snohomish Health Department, Snohomish County, nearby cities, nearby school districts, Alderwood Water & Sewer District, Tulalip Tribes and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Fisheries Division.

The Alderwood Water & Sewer District had crews working at various points in its system as well to reduce sewage flows to the break point.

City Crews used heavy equipment to dig into the ground to reach the broken pipe. Once they reached the pipe, they found the damage to the pipe to be more extensive than originally thought and would take more time to repair. The final repair work included replacing about 25 feet of pipe. It is still not known why the pipe, which is about 30 years old, cracked.

The City sent a notification to about 3,450 phones within the North Creek and Lake Washington area to advise people of the situation and to avoid contact with the North Creek stream water.  The break occurred about 6 a.m. Thursday April 12.

Please note: The City’s drinking water was not affected in any way by this situation.