The Clallam County Health and Human Services’ Environmental Health Section is reminding the public to avoid marine water contact in urban and developed embayments such as Port Angeles Harbor and Clallam Bay during and following heavy rain events.

Release of untreated sewage and stormwater may occur during intense rain events when there is stormwater and when combined sewer and stormwater flows exceed sewer system capacities, county health officials said.

Although the sewage release is diluted with stormwater, it may be potentially harmful to public health and aquatic life because of the introduction of pathogens and other wastes into the harbor. Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses, officials said. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

For more information about the advisory, call Clallam County Health and Human Services’ Environmental Health department at 417-2424.