Semi-truck overturns, spills thousands of pounds of sewage into Washington creek

BLEWETT PASS, Wash. (AP) — A cleanup crew using a large vacuum truck is trying to remove 60,000 pounds of sewage biosolids that spilled into a creek at Blewett Pass Monday when a semi-truck overturned.

The Kittitas County Public Health Department says the work will take several days. Meanwhile, people are advised to avoid contact with the spill area.

The health department says the biosolids are treated, but not entirely disease free.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports water from Swauk Creek eventually flows into the Yakima River.

The biosolids are a byproduct of wastewater treatment. They were being trucked from King County to eastern Washington to be used as a soil enhancer in farming and forestry.