Lake Tahoe Issues Water Advisory Over Fecal Contamination Risk
Earlier this week, residents of Incline Village, a wealthy community on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, were advised to boil their water due to concerns about possible fecal contamination.
Village officials sent letters on Monday, warning of a "high potential" that the drinking water might be compromised. The notice explained:
Incline Village water system experienced an event that resulted in loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause backpressure or movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system. Such a system failure carries with it a high potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system.
This alert came after a water leak last month raised concerns that untreated, feces-contaminated water had entered the supply. Emergency repairs were initiated promptly, and some homes experienced intermittent water service interruptions.
Fecal contamination in public water is a serious health risk because it may harbor bacteria like E. coli, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramps. In severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to fatal sepsis.
Health Risks from Contaminated Water
- Possible symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping.
- Severe infections can result if bacteria enter the bloodstream.
- Immediate boiling of water is recommended to eliminate pathogens.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to follow safety precautions until the water system is fully restored and confirmed safe.
Summary: Incline Village residents were warned to boil water due to a system failure that may have allowed fecal contamination, posing serious health risks including bacterial infections like E. coli.