Community Corner
Waughop Lake Sewage Warning Over, Algae Warning Remains
Conditions at Waughop Lake are improving, but you still should avoid contact with the water.
LAKEWOOD, WA - Some mixed news came Friday afternoon for lovers of Waughop Lake. A sewage spill advisory has been called off, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, but an advisory over toxic algae remains in effect.
The sewage spill dates back to January. Nearby Pierce College discovered that its sanitary sewer was connected to its storm sewer system, which was dumping raw sewage directly into the lake. The college vacuumed the floating sewage out of the lake and upgraded its sewage system to prevent future overflows.
Waughop Lake does not have an outlet, and so is susceptible to contamination. Toxic algae is becoming more common in Puget Sound lakes in summer months; Lake Tapps recently lifted a toxic algae alert.
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
#WaughopLake no longer under a #sewage spill advisory. Yay! #Toxicalgae advisory remains in effect. Boo! #PierceCounty #safewater pic.twitter.com/HS2FCNpvYu
— Pierce County Health (@TPCHD) August 25, 2017
Image via Google Maps
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