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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The county of Lake on Sunday evening issued its latest update in the ongoing response to a massive sewage spill that began a week ago.
The 2026 Robin Lane Sewer Spill incident, which began on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 11, resulted when a 16-inch force main ruptured and continued until Monday night. That equipment is operated by Lake County Special Districts.
County officials reported that 2.9 million gallons of sewage were spilled during the 37.5-hour incident, which has impacted wells and property over an area that is east of Smith Lane, west of Old Highway 53, south of Pond Road and north of Bowers Avenue.
The area impacted by the spill originally was estimated at 40 acres, but late last week was expanded to about 357 acres, as Lake County News has reported.
A town hall meeting to update the community on the incident is planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The location has so far not been announced.
Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Bernstein continues to advise residents in the impacted area who rely on private drinking wells to temporarily relocate until their wells are deemed safe.
For residents who choose to remain in their homes, Bernstein urges them to contact Special Districts for a safe water supply; to thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces, materials, or household items that may have come into contact with private well water at 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11; and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever or flu-like symptoms, skin rashes or infections, and eye, ear or wound infections.
On Sunday, the county said its Environmental Health Department’s assessments show that groundwater levels in the affected area “are higher than originally expected, with water in some locations just a few feet below the ground surface.”
Late last week, residents in the area who had received test results shared them with Lake County News. The test results showed extremely high levels of both coliform and E.coli.
The county reported that, “While higher groundwater levels can help dilute contaminants, they also mean that surface materials can reach groundwater more quickly.”
As of Sunday, 51 private wells have either been sanitized or are scheduled for sanitization, and outreach to additional well owners is ongoing, the county reported.
Officials said water quality testing will resume on Tuesday to ensure accurate results.
“Any chlorine used during the sanitization process will be fully removed through standard well
purging before testing occurs. Conditions in newly identified areas are still being evaluated, and updates will be shared as more information becomes available,” the county said in its Sunday report.
Meanwhile, Lake County Special Districts reported that it is focusing its ongoing response on delivering water for households and animal use, although the district said the expansion of the impacted area limits its ability to deliver water directly to individual households.
The agency is making showers, laundry services and potable water available at the entrance of the wastewater treatment plant located at 2485 Pond Road.
The county reported that cleanup and dewatering efforts are continuing throughout the area impacted by the spill.
“In locations where standing water remains, additional treatment methods are limited, and crews are addressing those areas as conditions allow. The area has undergone multiple rounds of decontamination, and response teams will continue monitoring and mitigation efforts to protect public health and safety,” the county’s update said.
Available resources
County officials direct spill area residents to the following resources.
ADA showers: Available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday at the Clearlake Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
Drinking water: Highlands Water Co. offers a free public water filling station from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 14580 Lakeshore Drive. Please bring your own jugs or bottles.
Drinking water guidance and information on testing of private wells: Contact Environmental Health at 707-263-1164.
Relocation: Affected residents are directed to first contact their homeowner’s insurance provider to inquire about coverage for temporary lodging under their policy. Residents may also contact Lake County Special Districts at 707-263-0119 for additional assistance and guidance.
Showers, laundry services and potable water: A mobile laundry and hygiene service trailer is available to the public at the entrance to the wastewater treatment plant located at 2485 Pond Road. It includes two laundry sets, with the ability to bring in a larger trailer if additional capacity is needed. Residents can drop off their laundry with on-site staff, who will tag each load with a number, then wash, dry, and fold items before returning them in a clean bag. The unit also includes a double-shower setup (family) and three sinks large enough to wash dishes. A separate family shower area is available and includes one sink, two showers, and a bench, providing space for families and individuals to clean up comfortably and safely. For potable water, members of the public are asked to bring their own water containers. Special Districts staff are on site to assist the public, and a 24-hour call-answering service is available to respond to inquiries related to Special Districts services.
Support to mitigate water and sewer-related needs: Call Special Districts at 707-263-0119.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
