Search

by MojoPages

Print
Email
Share

1.6 million gallons of sewage flow in Lake Washington, homes

by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

Bio | Email | Follow: @gchittimK5

KING5.com

Posted on December 13, 2010 at 8:47 PM

Updated Monday, Dec 13 at 11:51 PM

MEDINA, Wash. -- More than one million gallons of raw sewage backed up into Lake Washington over the weekend.

The sewer system in Medina was unable to handle all the rainfall from the storm, causing raw sewage to back up into peoples' homes and into the lake.

According to Annie Kolb-Nelson of King County Wastewater Treatment, about 1.6 million gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Washington over a period of 17 hours.

Wastewater Treatment took samples Monday to find out how much dangerous bacteria from human waste is now in the lake. It will take 24 hours for the test results to come back.

Robin Laskowski's spent Monday drying out her basement after it was swamped with sewage that backed up into her Carkeek Park home. It was one of four homes in that area that had sewage flow into it.

The same thing happened at Laskowski's home during a similar storm three years ago.

"These are things nobody should know how to do. You shouldn't know how to keep your environment free of sewage," she said.

The Laskowskis have a case pending against the City of Seattle regarding the last sewage flood they endured.

Tests for types of bacteria in Lake Washington are expected Tuesday. People are advised to stay out of the lake.

Print
Email
Share
 
Environment Northwest Video
More Video

To add a comment, please register or login.

1000 characters remaining

Submit

We welcome your comments on this story's topic. Off-topic comments, personal attacks, and inappropriate language may be flagged and removed, and comment privileges blocked, per our Terms of Service. Thanks for keeping the comments space respectful.

Privacy Policy

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 25

yamazs said on December 16, 2010 at 12:56 AM

Not 100% sure but I'm guessing the 1.6 million gallons of "raw sewage" is referring to what is called "stormwater overflow". This happens when a municipality combines their stormwater and sewer conveyance systems. When there are large rain events like the one we had the system can't handle the huge amount of additional stormwater and the combined stormwater/sewage overflows into the lake or wherever. So this "raw sewage" is probably sewage that has been diluted by massive amounts of stormwater. Which doesn't make it that much better... but still a little misleading. The expensive solution would be to tear out all the old combined stormwater/sewer conveyance and install separate conveyance systems for the two.

57437649
Flag this comment

justasuggestion said on December 15, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Reverse-911 call to stop sewer usage during intense rainstorms When King county is experiencing intense rainfall that pushes the sewer system beyond capacity, officials should make a reverse-911 call and media blitz asking all citizens to refrain from showering, flushing, doing laundry, and running the dishwasher for the half a day that a storm typically lasts. A minor sacrifice by everyone would greatly appreciated by those in homes prone to sewage backups.

57432177
Flag this comment

gohawks035820457 said on December 14, 2010 at 9:22 PM

It's ok they're rich. They can afford it.

57373138
Flag this comment

treeclimber said on December 14, 2010 at 4:38 PM

least wise the sewage being dumped into lake washington is a little more diluted than normal.

57361204
Flag this comment

heavymetal said on December 14, 2010 at 3:59 PM

Washington people beating up each other and complaining about everything. I'm so proud. I feel very sorry for you people who have this problem to deal with. Possibly look into installing a check valve on your sewer line. Effluent can go out but not back. Just a thought. Good luck.

57359197
Flag this comment

justrobs said on December 14, 2010 at 2:29 PM

You guys probably would not be laughing had this happened to you. It does not matter where you live, Medina or Carkeek, it is still an unfortunate situation. I am sure sewage will be backing up into more areas than just these two if the rain keeps up. @jackwong Unfortunately we won't be seeing any new funding for anything. Hopefully people will understand the benefits of taxes before the next go around. Yes the state is broke, there is no money for anything, including higher education. Yes, @kbbcoop, the taxpayers have spoken, and they care more about candy than, K-12 schools, human services, and higher education. @Biggergovnow She does not think that people should know how to clean sewage from their basements because it should not be happening in the first place.

57354053
Flag this comment

kbbcoop said on December 14, 2010 at 10:50 AM

jackwong start a fund with what? more taxes? didnt you hear? the city is BROKE, so is the state, thanks to the greedy government workers and their bloated salaries and pensions. the taxpayers have spoken-NO NEW TAXES.

57338718
Flag this comment

biggergovnow said on December 14, 2010 at 10:44 AM

"These are things nobody should know how to do. You shouldn't know how to keep your environment free of sewage...." We should all live in environments full of sewage?

57338302
Flag this comment

bazwest said on December 14, 2010 at 9:31 AM

How many people live in Medina anyway? 1.6 million gallons of sewage from one municipality seems like an awful lot, is that really an accurate estimate?

57333224
Flag this comment

realitybites2 said on December 14, 2010 at 8:36 AM

Bet these greedy people are wishing they had accepted the city's offer to buy out their places now huh? I say if you won't sell and stay in a flood plane you pay for your own stupidity.

57329748
Flag this comment

sourdoughjoe said on December 14, 2010 at 7:19 AM

As much as it rains in Western WA, why is it that the storm drains are connected to the sewage system?

57324724
Flag this comment

readthestory said on December 14, 2010 at 6:51 AM

Are all of you idiots really that stupid? The lady in the story is NOT from Medina. She is from Carkeek Park (Broadview) IN SEATTLE! That is why she has a case pending against the city of Seattle. You hear Medina and automatically fill with hate.

57323179
Flag this comment

stevecole7777670 said on December 14, 2010 at 6:11 AM

Name of article's author is terrific fodder for my juvenile mind.

57321048
Flag this comment

jackwong said on December 14, 2010 at 4:54 AM

The city of Seattle definitely should start a fund to help the residents of Medina get their houses back to it's original state without challenge. This is an injustice done to them.

57317976
Flag this comment

treeclimber said on December 14, 2010 at 2:46 AM

THIS IS SEATTLE THE SHI---EST TOWN IN THE WEST.

57316037
Flag this comment

dogonit said on December 14, 2010 at 12:28 AM

Wow,I'm gong to have to poke out my minds eye now!

57314259
Flag this comment

dasindog said on December 14, 2010 at 12:21 AM

dogonit - Yes, toilets, sinks, bathtubs... Anything with an opening to the sewer, since there's no valves, a little back pressure and GWOOOOSH!! Trust me, not the sound you wanna hear at 3am!

57314143
Flag this comment

dogonit said on December 13, 2010 at 11:38 PM

How does sewage flow into a home? Massive toilet gusher or what?

57313377
Flag this comment

rite2post said on December 13, 2010 at 10:59 PM

@pintsizedfury. The sewage overflow into the lake versus the entire neighborhood and streets. Would you like it floating on your driveway or the Lake where the fish can eat it?

57312251
Flag this comment

pintsizedfury said on December 13, 2010 at 10:35 PM

I feel bad for this family.. but it isnt like medina is lacking money.. and now they are going to sue and get a huge pay out because medina didn't take care of this after 2007... terrible... then they wont have the money to fix the problem. I live in shoreline.. we are working class mostly and theyve been fixing our sewer lines for a few years now.. so I just don't get it .. whats worse is the environmental impact.. forget one persons home... what about the entire lake?? 17 hrs and what someone missed it or they thought it would be better then what?? I dont get it ...

57311359
Flag this comment

plutonomics said on December 13, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Yeah they are rich, so they will file lawsuit with the city and we'll have to pay for the clean up costs. Gotta love and feel sorry for rich people.

57310588
Flag this comment

rite2post said on December 13, 2010 at 9:53 PM

for those who are planning to swim laps on lake Washington, you may just get more than a great work. A free high in protein dinner if you're lucky.

57309502
Flag this comment

rite2post said on December 13, 2010 at 9:50 PM

talking about the entire neighborhood taking a crapper in your basement..

57309369
Flag this comment

yessir said on December 13, 2010 at 9:41 PM

It's rough living in Medina!

57309133
Flag this comment

seattlelovemongr said on December 13, 2010 at 9:24 PM

That just stinks!!....

57308482
Flag this comment