Bainbridge residents told to avoid waters of Ravine Creek, Eagle Harbor after sewer spill

Published 9:15 am Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Kitsap Public Health District has issued a no-contact advisory for Ravine Creek on Bainbridge Island and the mouth of the creek in Eagle Harbor due to a sewage spill. People and their pets are advised to avoid contact with the water.

The city of Bainbridge Island reported that a 15,000-gallon sewage spill into the city stormwater system located near 920 Hildebrand Lane, Bainbridge Island occurred at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Officials said a pump station failed, which led to an overflow of sewage into the storm system which discharges into Ravine Creek, which flows into the north end of Eagle Harbor.

Officials said the pump station has been repaired and put back into service, and the stormwater system was pumped out and cleaned.

Kitsap health officials were notified of the spill Monday, and a health district inspector was sent to the spill site to help determine impacts to Ravine Creek and Eagle Harbor.

Officials said it appeared that Ravine Creek was impacted by the spill, but due to very low flow levels in the creek this time of year, the sewage did not appear to travel very far downstream. A water sample was taken from Ravine Creek near its mouth in northern Eagle Harbor, however, and will be tested to make sure.

As a precautionary measure, the health district has issued a no-contact advisory for the creek and the mouth of the creek in Eagle Harbor.

The advisory will be in place until further notice. The health district has posted warning signs along the stream and near the creek mouth.