By Evan Maxwell, Reno Gazette Journal

A sewer district on the shore of Lake Tahoe is either a secretive organization controlled by powerful corporate interests or a completely transparent public service agency that has efficiently toiled for six decades to keep the lake pristine and crystal clear.

Or something in between.

Douglas County Sewer Improvement District 1 collects and treats commercial and residential sewage from casinos, hotels, resorts and 600 residences on the Nevada side of the lake.

After years of exceedingly quiet but apparently efficient operation, DCSID became embroiled last month in a dispute with Douglas County government that has now mushroomed.

The dispute involves the proper disposal of millions of gallons of sewage every day, all of which must be exported outside the Tahoe Basin.

However, the dispute now also involves a certain amount of political intrigue, “rogue citizens,” ethics complaints, anonymous legal clients represented by prominent attorneys, some of the biggest corporate names in Northern Nevada, and three state agencies.

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