PORT TOWNSEND – A water shutdown is scheduled for residents and businesses in the Point Hudson area from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today as crews work to repair a water line that broke Monday night and spilled sewage into Port Townsend Bay.
According to an estimate made Tuesday, the aqueduct spilled more than 180,000 gallons of water on Monday night. The sewer overflow stopped at 9:00 p.m. Monday, the city of Port Townsend said, but not before some of the water ran into the bay and triggered a non-contact command.
Today’s water shutdowns will be in an area that spans the Point Hudson side of Monroe Street from Port Townsend Bay to Clay Street and the American Legion Hall. This is evident from a map published by Port Townsend Public Works.
The outage will allow crews to do much of the work required to replace the broken cast iron pipe and an adjacent one with a ductile iron pipe, which is the industry standard, said Steve King, public works director.
The pipe had an 8-foot crack, probably due to its age, König said.
The pipes must then sit for 24 hours after being disinfected with chlorine.
King hopes all work will be completed by the middle of next week.
Shorter scheduled water shutdowns may occur early next week. King didn’t have a timeframe for this until Wednesday.
Road and pipe repairs are overseen by Public Works and Seton Construction. King said they are working efficiently to complete the repairs, which he valued at $ 100,000 on Wednesday.
The intersection of Monroe and Water Streets will remain closed at least until the end of next week with detours on Madison and Washington Streets.
Port Townsend Public Works has a scheduled water outage in the Point Hudson area from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, November 19, to repair a broken water pipe that burst Monday night. (Port Townsend Public Works)
Sewage overflow
The sewage overflow led to a non-contact health advice on the nearby coast that was issued late Tuesday.
Jefferson County Public Health analyzes Port Townsend Bay water samples for harmful bacteria.
Pending the return of the results, public health was issuing the health report for the coast from Madison Street to the entrance of Point Hudson Marina, Michael Dawson, water quality manager for the Department of Health, said in a press release.
The public is advised to avoid any contact with the water. Swimming, boating, or fishing are not permitted.
The area includes Pope Marine Park, the Port Townsend Salmon Club boat ramp, and the Northwest Maritime Center, Dawson said.
Contact with fecal contaminated water can lead to gastroenteritis, rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other diseases.
Anyone who is exposed to seawater in this area and has symptoms should contact a health care provider, Dawson said.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5 or at [email protected].
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