Incident Update #6 - Thursday, July 25, 2024 - North Tahoe Public Utility District

Patton Landing Beach opens to the public

Carnelian Bay West Beach remains closed and reduced Health Advisory zone in effect

This is an update for Thursday, July 25, 2024, for the Carnelian Bay Sewer Spill incident that 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.

Patton Landing Beach Opens to the Public

Placer County Environmental Health, the California Tahoe Conservancy, and NTPUD are pleased to report that bacteria levels present in water quality tests taken over recent days at Patton Landing Beach, and East of the spill site have returned to a normal range and are within California beach water quality standards.

Patton Landing Beach will reopen to the public as of this message at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25.

Placer County’s health advisory area has been reduced to the area between 5146 North Lake Blvd and 4600 North Lake Blvd. This advisory is anticipated to remain in place through at least Sunday, July 28. This area includes Carnelian West Beach and the immediate surrounding area extending West along the Lake Tahoe shoreline to Watson Creek.

Carnelian West Beach Remains Closed

Bacteria levels present in water quality tests taken over recent days at the Carnelian West Beach spill site are still elevated and remain above California beach water quality standards.

To continue to protect the public and all Lake Tahoe residents and visitors, Carnelian West Beach will remain closed through at least Sunday, July 28.

Residents and visitors are advised that contact with the lake water in the updated advisory area could cause illness due to elevated bacteria levels.

Lake Tahoe Water Quality Analysis Will Continue

Water quality samples are continuing to be taken from the Lake Tahoe shoreline inside and outside the advisory zone. The results have a required minimum processing time of 24 hours.

Officials will continue to evaluate the results daily and the health advisory will be lifted or modified after at least two days of data showing that levels are consistently below California beaches water quality standards.

Additionally, if ongoing water quality test results show bacteria levels rising at Patton Beach or East of the spill, the original health advisory area and beach closure will be reinstated for this area.

Beach and Site Restoration Continues

In collaboration with the California Tahoe Conservancy and Placer County, the NTPUD has completed the initial site restoration and removal of all impacted landscaping. Beginning next week, professional landscapers will work to replace the landscaping to restore the area to its original condition prior to the spill.

Additional Updates

Placer County and the NTPUD will continue to provide updates every afternoon on the ongoing health advisory and closure areas as ongoing water quality test results are evaluated.