Debris blocks sewer line, causes brief overflow in south Seattle

Clean-up completed, system operating normally

Employees with King County’s clean-water utility worked quickly to stop a wastewater overflow in south Seattle that was discovered just before 10 a.m. on Friday.

Crews believe that a blade from a root-cutting machine became lodged in a sewer line, creating a partial obstruction that caused an estimated 1,500 gallons of wastewater to overflow for 75 minutes into the Duwamish River from the West Michigan Regulator Station, 6769 W. Marginal Way S. in Seattle. The source of the root-cutting machine blade is being investigated.

King County is also investigating the source of the tree roots balls, which are believed to have contributed to a wastewater overflow in the same location Aug. 2.

King County staff took water samples, posted health warning signs along the river, and notified health and regulatory agencies about the overflow. A vactor truck was used to clean up visible material.

Utility staff will continue to monitor the system, which is again operating normally.

Note to editors and reporters: Visit the WTD Newsroom, a portal to information for the news media about the Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Newsroom.aspx

This release is also posted on the Web site for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp.aspx