ECOLOGY AND LEWIS COUNTY ISSUE AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY IN PE ELL

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 1995
95-145

CONTACT:
Kathie Emmett, (360) 407-6281
Department of Ecology
Mary Getchell, (360) 407-6157
Department of Ecology
Mike Vinatieri, (360) 740-1238
Lewis Co. Environmental Services

OLYMPIA, WA -- The Washington State Department of Ecology and Lewis County Health Department issued an Environmental Health Advisory for two areas in Pe Ell, today. The Environmental Health Advisory is a warning to people to not have contact with the Stowe Creek and Chehalis River, between the bridge crossing Highway 106 and Pe Ell. The Environmental Health Advisory warns people in Pe Ell to not fish, swim, drink or otherwise have contact with those water bodies.

"We issued the advisory when we learned that the town has been experiencing frequent overflows of raw sewage at its 3rd and 6th Street pump stations for the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The pump stations overflow into Stowe Creek and the Chehalis River,” said Mike Llewelyn, Ecology’s water quality program manager. "These overflows are an immediate threat to human health and the environment.”

Raw sewage can spread diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid, giardia and cryptosporidium in people. So far, there have been no reported outbreaks of diseases because of the overflows. The overflows could be harmful to fish and other aquatic animals.

"People can take precautions to avoid becoming ill from the overflows. We urge people to take these steps to ensure their health,” said Dr. Tom Bell, Lewis County Health Officer.

People who get their water directly from the Chehalis River or Stowe Creek should boil their water for five minutes.
Toothbrushes should be cleaned in water that is drinkable.
Showering and bathing should not pose a problem as long as a bather does not drink any of the bath water.

The Lewis County Health Department believes that the water provided by the Boistfort Valley Water Corporation is safe.

Today, Pe Ell officials posted signs throughout the community, warning people not to have contact with the water near the pump stations, until the pump stations have been repaired or replaced. The pump stations are part of the wastewater treatment plant system that pushes or pumps the raw sewage to the wastewater plant for treatment.

"We are looking into Pe Ell’s overall environmental compliance including funding issues and staffing needs. We are working with the Lewis County Health Department and City of Pe Ell officials to stop the immediate environmental and human health threat and then work toward long term solutions,” said Kathie Emmett, Ecology’s water quality program enforcement officer.

Ecology and the Lewis County Health Department will be providing people with further information through updates to the media and postings throughout the community of Pe Ell.