Sewage spill advisory issued for Tacoma's Snake Lake

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Sewage spill advisory for Snake Lake in Tacoma

A sewage spill advisory was just issued in Tacoma for residents and visitors to stay away from Snake Lake.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has issued a Sewage Spill Advisory for residents and visitors to stay away from Snake Lake.

At 9:55 a.m on Tuesday the Tacoma-Pierce Health Department released a statement saying that, "People and pets should avoid the water and not swim, wade, or fish until further notice."

The department advises anyone who has been near the lake recently to shower and wash your hands before eating.

Farmers raise alarm over polluted water flowing in from Canada

Water flowing into the U.S. has abnormally high levels of fecal bacteria. Locals near the U.S.-Canada border say more needs to be done to protect people, salmon and shellfish.

Contact with fecal-contaminated waters can lead gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and others who have weak or impaired immune system are at higher risk of coming down with waterborne diseases.

The Health Department has posted warning signs and will only remove them when the advisory is lifted.

For more information click here.

EnvironmentHealthTacomaPierce County