Sewage spill response

Know Your Sewer System - Know Who to Call. Download this fact sheet and record emergency contact numbers in case of a sewage overflow. The back side of this fact sheet includes information on keeping yourself safe during a flooding event or sewage overflow and helpful hints to prevent overflows.

King County provides wastewater treatment services to 34 local jurisdictions and sewer districts. Wastewater collected by local sewer agencies is transported to county treatment facilities through pipes owned and maintained by the county.

Sewage spills are caused most often by clogged or broken pipes belonging to private owners. On rare occasions, problems in pipes owned by local sewer agencies or the county can result in sewage spills on private property. The King County Wastewater Treatment Division recommends taking the following steps in the event of a sewage spill in your home:

• Think safety first
• Limit exposure
• Call for help
• Clean up safely

The Washington State Department of Health's guidance for cleaning up a sewage spill (external link) is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese