Utility Warns Residents Of Risks From Playing Pokémon Go Near Plant

Seattle’s wastewater utility is warning residents not to fall into sewer tanks or trespass on plant property while playing Pokémon Go.

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division released a statement warning residents that “you can’t always go where the Pokémon are,” noting that some people have disregarded “no trespassing” signs in pursuit of Pokémon. The statement requested that residents refrain from venturing “into places you’re not supposed to go, and listen to our employees.”

“The game’s popularity, and its knack for completely distracting players from their surroundings, is causing health and safety concerns across the board — particularly after two hikers fell off a 50 foot cliff while playing the game,” GeekWire reported.

The statement from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, couched in humor, emphasized that trespassing in the name of a videogame can create hassles for water operators, who are “not on site to battle trainers trying to nab Pikachu”:

King County’s wastewater treatment plants, facility sites, and construction areas are places that are off limits to the public regardless of the Pokémon creature your app says is lurking there. The people authorized to be in these places are trained and equipped to stay safe. Players can also disrupt work. Our contractors and operators are building and operating a large regional wastewater system.

The utility tried to conjure just how unpleasant it is to run afoul of waste plant safety codes:

You know that terrible feeling you get when you accidentally drop your phone in the toilet? Imagine if you fell into a wastewater tank! Like one unfortunate trespasser learned, you certainly won’t come out smelling like perfume, and you might catch more than Dragonite or Mewtwo.

The utility pointed to the case of a man who was rescued by firefighters two years ago while floating in the wastewater at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle.

The waste division’s statement closed with a final tongue-in-cheek request: “While we’re having this little chat, please don’t flush Poké balls.”

To read more about how utilities communicate with ratepayers visit Water Online’s Consumer Outreach Solutions Center.