PORT ORCHARD – The Kitsap County Public Health District issued a no-contact advisory for Dyes Inlet and the Port of Washington Narrows through Thursday, Aug. 6 after an estimated 40,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the Clear Creek Estuary near Bucklin Hill Road July 30. All shellfish harvesting in Dyes Inlet and Port Washington is closed.

The spill was caused by ongoing construction at the Bucklin Hill Road bridge location. The contractor hired by the county to complete the project, Granite Construction, is responsible for all activity on the site and required to reimburse the county for all costs associated with the sewer pipe repair and clean-up. The spill occurred at 3 p.m. and the flow was stopped by 5:30 p.m. Kitsap County Public Works had a repair in place by 7:30 p.m.

Immediately following the spill, the Kitsap County Parks Department closed Silverdale Waterfront Park, Lions Park and Evergreen-Rotary Park but all were reopened at 8:30 a.m. this morning. Even though the parks are open, the public is urged to stay out of the water, off beaches and refrain from collecting rocks and shells until the no-contact advisory is lifted Aug. 6.