Bellevue sewage spills pollute Lake Samammish over Memorial Day weekend

A greasy slurry of baby wipes, cookings fats and oil combined to create two separate sewage overflows into Lake Sammamish over Memorial Day weekend.

A greasy slurry of baby wipes, cookings fats and oil combined to create two separate sewage overflows into Lake Sammamish over Memorial Day weekend.

Bellevue Utilities crews responded to the incidents, one Sunday and one Monday, in the 1400 block of West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast along North Rosemont Beach Road. More than 9,000 gallons of sewage flowed into Lake Sammamish over the two days.

Michael May, public information officer for Bellevue Utilities, said the spill was still being analyzed.

“It’s a large lake, and in general the sewage will disperse out into the lake,” he said. “We have been working with King County Public Health and the Department of Ecology to take water samples. We’ll know more when those come back.”

Until the results come back on Wednesday, June 2, residents along that stretch of Lake Sammamish are advised to not come in contact with the lake near the overflow. No public beachers are affected by the spillage, the city of Bellevue said in a release.

Utilities crews cleared the blockage of the lake line pipe to stop further overflows and advised nearby residents to stay away from the lake.

May also cautioned Bellevue residents to be careful what they put in their pipes.

“People put hair, Q-tips and paper towels down the drain,” he said. “Just remember, the only thing that should go down the drain is toilet paper.”

Fats, oils and grease from cooking should be cooled and then thrown out. Large amounts of cooking oil can be picked up by Republic Services. Oil can be collected in sealed plastic bottles.