15,000 to 20,000 gallons of untreated sewage spills into Lake Washington

King County is warning swimmers at several Lake Washington beaches after a sewage spill Monday.

According to the county, a utility power failure on Monday caused 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of untreated sewage to spill into the lake.

The pipe that discharged was 300 feet from shore and 25 feet deep, spilling very near to the shore.

Warnings were given to not swim or go in the water at Howell Park, Madrona Beach or the Lake Washington shoreline between them, including the street-end parks at East Olive and East Pine streets.

Germs from the fecal matter in the water could cause rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, headaches or fever.

Swimmers can also get infections in their eyes, ears, nose, throat or on their skin.

Children, elderly people and people with weakened immune systems are all at a higher risk of getting sick.

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