A sewer line on Osgood Avenue that serves the Ski Run Center and Chevy’s in South Lake Tahoe has failed, requiring the South Tahoe Public Utility District board to make an emergency declaration.

This will speed up the process to fix the problem because the formal bidding procedure can be scrapped.

About 400 feet of 6-inch diameter sewer line connecting to a 12-inch diameter main behind what used to be the Fantasy Inn failed. The district discovered this using a TV camera and high-pressure hydro-cleaning work.

“Several low points appear to have the bottom of the pipe missing, possibly from the use of degreasing agents being used over the years,” Richard Solbrig, general manager of STPUD, told Lake Tahoe News.  “The wastewater flow from the commercial businesses will be temporarily bypassed, probably to the line on Ski Run Boulevard so they will be able to remain in business.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report