Sewer backup surprises Pike Place Market tourists No injuries reported Tuesday afternoon

Seattle Public Utilities workers temporarily closed part of Pike Place and Pine Street after a sewer backup Tuesday afternoon. The backup was said to have been caused by grease that originated in a side sewer. Seattle Public Utilities workers temporarily closed part of Pike Place and Pine Street after a sewer backup Tuesday afternoon. The backup was said to have been caused by grease that originated in a side sewer. Photo: Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com Photo: Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Sewer backup surprises Pike Place Market tourists 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Some tourists had a crappy experience in Seattle Tuesday afternoon when a sewage pipe clogged near the Pike Place Market.

A private contractor was cleaning out a side sewer that ran down Pine Street, at least from Post Alley to Pike Place, which caused a grease accumulation to flow down to the main sewer line, which caused a backup, according to city workers.

That caused sewage to follow from a cleanout on the southeast corner of Pine Street and Pike Place, city staff said.

Seattle Public Utilities workers temporarily closed a section of Pike Place just below the Public Market sign, and Pine Street was partially blocked as crews cleared the sewage. There were no reports of injuries.

The area was cleared shortly after 4 p.m.

The City of Seattle, which is responsible for main lines but not side sewers, prohibits directly dumping grease down the drain and restricts how much grease can be in your wastewater. Leftover grease should be thrown out with solid wastes, and most restaurants dispose of used cooking oils in grease bins, where they are collected and sent to rendering plants or converted to biodiesel.

Casey McNerthney can be reached at 206-448-8220 or at caseymcnerthney@seattlepi.com. Follow Casey on Twitter at twitter.com/mcnerthney.