Sewage Spill Closes All Tomales Bay Shellfish Growing Areas

MARIN COUNTY, CA — All shellfish growing areas in Tomales Bay have been closed following a sewage spill into a local creek, state health officials announced Wednesday.

The California Department of Public Health also closed wet storage intakes after the spill into Olema Creek.

Marin County Environmental Health Services responded Friday to reports of a sewage spill at Due West Hotel in Olema and discovered a septic system leak connected to a drainage pipe leading into the creek.

The leak was promptly capped, according to the county. Further inspections and repairs to the septic system are expected this week.

More California News:

• Sinkhole Swallows Spectrum Van Amid Water Main Break: Reports
• OC MAGA Firebrand Draws Scrutiny As New White House Press Secretary
• Selma Blair Accused Of Assaulting Flight Attendants, Police Officer, Nurse: Reports

“Thanks to the National Park Service for reporting the issue during their routine monitoring of Olema Creek, our team for quickly containing it and Due West owners for ensuring it is corrected,” said Greg Pirie, deputy director of Environmental Health Services, in a county news release.

Pirie also urged property owners, businesses and residents to check their septic systems ahead of the upcoming storm season.

Marin County Public Health and Environmental Health Services said they have received no reports of adverse effects on people or wildlife in the area.

Follow-up sampling will be conducted in Olema Creek to determine whether the sewage has dissipated and bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.

Hog Island Oyster Co., which has locations at San Francisco's Ferry Building and throughout the Bay Area, stated Wednesday it had suspended shellfish harvesting in Tomales Bay after receiving the state’s closure notice on Monday.

The company's flagship farm is located in the unincorporated community of Marshall on Tomales Bay in Marin County.

Hog Island also stated it began a voluntary, precautionary market withdrawal of shellfish harvested from its Tomales Bay growing areas between Sept. 14 and Oct. 12, including its Sweetwaters and Earthquake Bays oysters.

The company said no illnesses or customer complaints had been reported and characterized the action as a precaution rather than a recall.

Hog Island said it would resume harvesting only with state authorization.

“The health and safety of our customers has always been our highest priority,” said CEO John Finger. “Although the release occurred many miles from our farm, the state’s management plan exists for exactly this kind of situation, and we’re following it fully.”

Under standard protocols, the closure lasts 21 days unless water-quality testing shows harvesting can safely resume sooner, according to the company.

Hog Island stated the state indicated sampling could begin as early as Friday, and the company anticipated harvesting could resume between Monday and Oct. 21 if test results were satisfactory and the state authorized reopening.

Otherwise, the standard closure period would extend through Oct. 30, according to Hog Island representatives.

The company stated its Humboldt Bay oyster farm remains operational and it would continue serving customers with oysters from that farm and partner farms in other certified growing areas.