Contractor hits sewer line, Eagle Harbor beaches closed

Published 6:50 pm Sunday, August 10, 2014

The shoreline at Eagle Harbor was again closed to the public Sunday after a city sewer pipe ruptured and polluted the harbor.

The break happened while a city contractor was digging to replace the pipe.

City of Bainbridge Island officials reported the break in the Highway 305 south sewer force main on Sunday afternoon.

The break occurred around 10:30 a.m. this morning, officials said, near the ferry terminal.

Officials have not yet determined how much sewage escaped from the 40-year-old cast iron sewer line.

The city said the spill was stopped at 1:30 p.m.

Officials said crews will not be able to repair the break until tides are low enough to access the pipe, which is expected to occur early Monday morning.

The Kitsap Health District has issued an advisory for people and their pets to avoid contact with the waters of Eagle Harbor until further notice.

Swimming beaches are also closed until further notice.