85,000 gallons of untreated sewage reported in Lake Tahoe, health advisory in effect

(FOX40.COM) — Placer County officials have announced that a health advisory is in effect for those in the Carnelian Bay area of Lake Tahoe following a sewage spill that occurred on Thursday evening.

The advisory comes after 85,000 gallons of untreated sewage escaped from a nearby main sewage line break on Thursday night along Highway 28 , according to the North Tahoe Public Utility District.

The advisory covers the shoreline northeast from Carnelian West Beach to Manzanita Avenue and southwest to 4600 North Lake Boulevard. Placer County said those with properties on private water from the lake in the advisory area should be aware that bacteria levels may be higher than normal for a “period of time.”

“Lake visitors are advised that bacteria levels may be high in the area and that water contact could cause illness,” Placer County officials said, adding that the California Tahoe Conservancy has closed Patton Beach and Carnelian West Beach until further notice as the North Tahoe Public Utility District “continues its cleanup of the affected beach areas.”

Around 8 p.m. on Thursday, a private contractor working on Highway 28 in Carnelian Bay hit the North Tahoe Public Utility District’s main sewer export line. The NTPUD said its crews were on the scene immediately and repaired the pipeline.

NTUPSD wrote in a social media post on Friday, that a total of 125,000 gallons of sewage escaped during the line break and crews were able to capture and clean up 40,000 gallons.

“All local and water quality agencies have been notified and the NTPUD is working with authorities to sample and test the water quality,” the agency said.

At the time, the leak forced closures on Highway 28 and North Lake Boulevard for nearly 12 hours.

NTPUD added that there is no risk to the public water drinking system ; meanwhile, Placer County officials said water quality tests are being conducted and results are expected within the next 24 hours.

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