Lake Tahoe beaches remain closed after sewage spill

(FOX40.COM) — Almost a week after several thousands of gallons of raw sewage washed into the waters of Lake Tahoe, the North Tahoe Public Utility District is beginning to see bacteria levels reduce.

On Tuesday, NTPUD shared that recent data is showing a downward trend in harmful bacteria levels, but not enough to allow Carnelian Bay West and Patton Landing beaches to reopen.

A main sewage line rupture on July 18 caused 125,000 gallons of raw sewage to reach the surface and some 85,000 gallons reached the waters of Lake Tahoe forcing a health advisory to be issued.

“The health advisory will be lifted after multiple observations show that the bacteria levels have returned to a more typical range for water contact and recreation,” the NTPUD wrote in a news release.

Daily samples are being pulled from the area of the spill along with surrounding areas to identify bacteria levels in the form of coliform, fecal coliform and E. coli.

These samples require 24 hours to process for a complete laboratory analysis.

NTPUD has not provided an estimated time of when bacteria levels will return to more typical levels.

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