100k+ Gallons of Sewage Spills Into Lake Tahoe

In Carnelian Bay, CA, roughly 20 minutes from iconic ski resort Palisades Tahoe, a recent sewage spillage accident is leading to unsafe levels of bacteria in Lake Tahoe. The lake is currently closed (July 22, 2024) for swimming at Carnelian Bay West and Patton Landing beaches until further notice.

A health advisory also includes the larger shoreline from 5500 North Lake Boulevard (Sahara Drive and Highway 28) to 4600 North Lake Boulevard.

Bacteria levels in water are not to be taken lightly. Swimming in contaminated water can lead to contracting viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasites, and worms that can be damaging to human health. Specifically, bacteria in sewage water can include E. Coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cholera, Hep. A, Dysentery, and more.

North Tahoe Public Utility District published an incident update detailing the sewer spill incident, writing that the incident occurred on Thursday evening, July 18, 2024, "as a result of a private contractor striking the North Tahoe Public Utility District’s (NTPUD) main sewer export pipeline."

The sewage from the pipeline then overflowed into a nearby parking lot and into Lake Tahoe.

The NTPUD estimated that around 125,000 gallons of untreated sewage were released during this incident. Emergency response crews quickly came to the aid of the NTPUD, and were able to stop approximately 40,000 gallons of the sewage on-site. However, this left 85,000 gallons of sewage to flow into Lake Tahoe.

This work is not over. Additional crews have been dispatched and are repairing the damage to landscaped areas near the site of the incident.

The main export pipeline has been repaired and the District’s wastewater system is now back to normal. The pipeline will continue to be monitored.

This announcement comes shortly after a dog was reported to be killed due to toxic levels of blue algae found near (but not in) Lake Tahoe.

ABC 10 reported that a woman posted to social media that her dog died from swimming in Lake Tahoe, however, when officials tested the water at and around the reported site, toxic levels of this algae were not found.

At a nearby pond not connected to Lake Tahoe, however, state officials reported that “at Nevada Beach, results for a sample taken from a shallow pond not connected to the lake contained a very low level of a cyanotoxin called saxitoxin. The pond is partially fenced off and the Lahontan Water Board and NDEP are recommending further fencing to prevent dogs and their owners from accessing the area.”

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these recent incidents. Please stay safe and continue to follow local and state guidelines for swimming and going into the water in Lake Tahoe.

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