Water normal, no criminal inquiry into sewage spill

By Kathryn Reed

The latest bacteria results from Tahoe Keys Marina show normal levels.

“The results show concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria that represents typical surface waters of this nature,” Lauri Kemper, deputy director Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, said in a statement.

The May 7 samples are the last Lahontan intends to take. However, this does not mean the investigation is over.

Lahontan is continuing to work with El Dorado County Environmental Health Department and South Tahoe Public Utility District. That should be completed in the next couple weeks.

“I spoke with environmental health officials who explained that there is no indication of criminal conduct, as alluded to on a Facebook posting. The health department official was reportedly present when the plumber cleared the line. For this reason, we will not be conducting any investigation into the fecal matter,” South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News.

While fire departments can be part of these types of investigations, it often depends who is called first. In this case Lahontan received the first alert on May 4 that there had been a sewage spill from the Fresh Ketch restaurant in South Lake Tahoe that flowed onto a walkway into Lake Tahoe.

“If we would have been called via 911, we would have responded to the spill at the marina. I am guessing no one thought of us, but we would have sent a hazardous materials response and worked with the Coast Guard,” SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston told Lake Tahoe News.