Sewage Incident in Arcata

A new hazardous materials incident involving sewage has been reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.

According to a report published by the office, the incident took place at or near a residence in Arcata at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

About 100 gallons of sewage were released to the environment, according to the person who called in the report.

Here’s the description of the incident that was recorded by the Office of Emergency Services:

A private citizen reported a sewage spill to the Reporting Party. City work crews responded and located sewage releasing from a vent on a private septic tank, possibly caused by a non-working pump. The sewage released onto the yard of a residence and an apartment complex. Spill possibly released into Fickle Hill Creek, which feeds into Jacoby Creek Gannon Slough, which leads into Humbolt Bay. Spill is intermittently ongoing and the Reporting Party is unaware of any clean up that may have occurred. The Reporting Party will be contacting the city building department who will be attempting to reach out to the property owner.

This was the first hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Arcata area this year and the first sewage spill in the county overall.