The Environmental Health Advisory is a warning to people to not have contact with the South Fork of the Newaukum River between Onalaska and the Chehalis River. The Environmental Health Advisory warns people to not fish, swim, drink or otherwise have contact with these waters. We're very concerned that raw sewage is not being disinfected at the wastewater treatment plant before it's released into the South Fork of the Newaukum River. 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 discharges.
Untreated sewage can also be harmful to fish and other aquatic animals.
Our immediate concern is that children will get out of school soon and want to play in the water. 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. Do not eat fish caught in the South Fork downstream of Onalaska until further notice. Today, Lewis County Health officials posted signs along the affected stretch of the river, warning people not to have contact with the water until the problems have been corrected.