PORT TOWNSEND — A “no contact” advisory is in effect for the waters off North Beach Park in Port Townsend, where city officials reported an intermittent leak of treated sewage Monday.
Jefferson County Public Health issued the health advisory for all of North Beach, with warning signs at the county park.
The public is advised to avoid surfing, swimming, boating, fishing and the harvesting of shellfish and seaweed at North Beach.
Shellfishing always is closed in the area because of the proximity of the sewage plant outfall.
The treated sewage contains low bacteria counts, but there is a risk to human health, county officials said.
City officials said heavy rains were a possible factor in the raising the volume of wastewater at the plant, and that leak appears to be from the outfall pipe that is buried under the beach.
Repairs will take place at low tides.
There was no estimate of when the repairs would be completed.
For more information on this advisory, phone the Jefferson County Public Health water quality program at 360-385-9444 or click www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.
