Health Advisory still in effect and Carnelian Bay beaches remain closed due to elevated bacteria levels
This is an update for Tuesday, July 23, 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.
Although the data is trending downward, water quality tests results continue to show elevated levels of bacteria present at the shoreline. To protect residents and visitors, the Carnelian Bay West and Patton Landing beaches will remain closed to the public until further notice.
Residents and visitors are advised that contact with the lake water in the advisory area could cause illness due to elevated bacteria levels.
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.
Water quality samples are being taken daily from the Lake Tahoe shoreline at the spill site, as well as areas outside the spill site. The laboratory analysis requires 24 hours to process.
Samples at each location identify the levels of bacteria in the form of total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The fecal coliform and E. coli levels are associated with untreated sewage.
Placer County health officials are evaluating the results each day to determine where elevated bacteria levels are present.
The elevated levels of bacteria, as a result of the sewer spill on Thursday, July 18, are expected to return to naturally occurring levels in the near future.
Additional information about the incident and what to do if you came into contact with lake water in the health advisory zone since Friday, July 19, is available online at – https://www.ntpud.org
Placer County and the NTPUD will continue to provide updates on the ongoing health advisory and closure areas as ongoing water quality test results are evaluated.
