Everett’s Water Woes Continue as 12 of 13 Combined Sewer Outfalls Overflow

Today’s Everett Flooding story isn’t much different from last Friday’s as again too much rain over too short a time caused sewage flooding problems in the city of Everett, WA. Here’s today’s press update…

Due to heavy rainfall, 12 of 13 combined sewer outfalls overflowed into the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay in Everett Friday morning, Sept. 6.   Water quality samples have been taken near the outfall locations and results will be available Saturday, Sept. 7.  Residents and visitors are warned to avoid contact with water at the outfall locations.

 

The overflows occurred at Puget Sound outfalls 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, and 07, and at Snohomish River outfalls 01, 02, 04, 07 and 08.  Each outfall location is identified by signs warning people not to swim or fish at the outfalls during rainstorms and for at least 24 hours following rainstorms.  For locations and current status, visit www.everettwa.org/CSOMap/CSOMap.aspx.

 

 Howarth Park and Pigeon Creek Beach remained closed after the storm event on Aug. 29 when a sewer lift station overflowed near Pigeon Creek.  The “No swimming or wading” signs at these beaches are still in place as a precautionary measure after the rain event this morning.  Samples will be taken each day and signs will remain in place until the water quality returns to normal levels.

 

 

Combined sewer system

Combined sewer systems are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Under normal operation, 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.

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.

For more information on Everett’s combined sewer system, visit www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1639.