Great Blue Heron (the official City of Seattle bird) fishing this week at Thornton Creek’s Beaver Pond Natural Area.
Thornton Creek, which flows through north Maple Leaf on its way to Lake Washington and includes the home of our very own beavers, has dangerous levels of human fecal bacteria, Seattle Public Utilities has announced.
A two-year investigation by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has confirmed human fecal bacteria are likely entering North Seattle’s Thornton Creek at multiple locations.
Funded by the Washington Department of Ecology and led by SPU stormwater scientist Jonathan Frodge, the study was based on samples collected at 45 sites throughout the watershed, under a variety of conditions
It has been known for years that fecal coliform bacteria concentrations in Thornton Creek exceed the state water quality standard and pose a potential threat to public health. The new study confirms human bacteria are present and contribute to the water quality problem. The study is also the first to identify sub-basins (general areas) where bacteria appear to be entering the stream.
Our news partner The Seattle Times has a lengthy story here, including a plea for help determining where sewage is entering the creek.
Frodge says the public is being asked to help out with the smell test.
“If you’re out there walking, your nose is as trained as anyone’s,” he says.
Sewer smell is sewer smell.
Frodge says people can email him at jonathan.frodge@seattle.gov.
