'No Contact' warning lifted for Tani Creek and Blakely Harbor

The Kitsap Public Health District has suspended the "No Contact" advisory for Blakely Harbor and Tani Creek that was issued last month after a sewage spill made it into the headwaters of Tani Creek.

The advisory was lifted Tuesday, and the warning signs that were posted at local public access areas have been removed, health officials said.

Officials said the decision to lift the advisory was based on the evaluation of additional fecal coliform bacteria data collected from Tani Creek at two locations downstream of the spill.

Recent tests showed the levels of fecal coliform bacteria — an indicator of the presence of viruses and bacteria that can make people sick — were well below the Washington state standard.

Sample results were collected from Tani Creek at the Bolero Drive crossing and the NE Country Club Road crossing on April 4, and officials said only minor impacts from the spill to the stream and Blakely Harbor were found.

Sample results collected since April 5 have shown no impact, according to the Kitsap Public Health District.

The spill occurred after digestive sludge leaked from a 1-inch hole in the side of a tank at Kitsap County Sewer District 7’s Fort Ward Treatment Plant, and then got into nearby ditch, then neighboring wetlands and then Tani Creek.

The state Department of Ecology is continuing to oversee the sewer district cleanup of the wetlands.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.