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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Well testing, soil decontamination and removal, and water tank installations are underway as part of the ongoing work to respond to a massive sewage spill that occurred in Clearlake earlier this month.
It’s been two weeks since a 16-inch force main near the northern end of Robin Lane in Clearlake – operated by the Lake County Sanitation District – ruptured, sending nearly three million gallons of raw sewage across roads and private properties, contaminating dozens of wells and forcing some residents of the spill area to temporarily relocate.
The county is set to hold its third town hall meeting on the spill and its remediation efforts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Bernstein’s guidance encouraging residents who rely on their wells for drinking water to temporarily relocate until the wells are deemed safe remains in place since last week.
The county reported on Saturday evening that contractors with Lake County Environmental Health, which has been tasked with well testing and long-term monitoring, “will continue health and safety field operations” on Sunday.
“Contractors continue to work in the field sanitizing private wells. This includes wells that had not yet been sanitized as well as wells that were previously sanitized but are still showing some level of contamination,” the county reported.
Officials also said that, “Follow-up actions are being taken to ensure each well receives the appropriate treatment and testing before normal use is resumed.”
Environmental Health is planning to begin its second round of water sampling as early as Monday to confirm results and track ongoing improvements in water quality, the county reported.
Meanwhile, Lake County Special Districts, which oversees the Lake County Sanitation District, is continuing soil cleanup efforts, which are expected to go on for several more days.
Contaminated soil will be removed to a lined pond at a Special Districts facility, and agricultural lime will be applied to exposed soil areas as conditions allow to support treatment and stabilization efforts.
Road work on Robin Lane will begin on Monday. Lake County Public Works crews will grade the
roadway, transport removed soil, and apply approximately 3 inches of base rock to improve road conditions and support continued access for residents and response vehicles, the county said.
The county said Special Districts staff will be collecting 15 private well water samples on Sunday as part of continued monitoring efforts.
Water delivery for livestock will continue through the weekend and into the coming week to ensure animals have access to safe water, according to the county update.
Social Services administers the Home Safe program, which is supporting water tank installations for residents who need access to alternative water supplies.
Additional tank installations are scheduled to begin Sunday or Monday. Tank placement is being prioritized based on well testing results, the county 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.
Avoiding scams after a disaster: Visit this link, https://bit.ly/4jP8A1Z.
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.
Support to mitigate water and sewer-related needs: Call Special Districts at 707-263-0119.
Temporary housing: Call Social Services at 707-995-4200, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to request temporary housing. Assistance is available for any household that needs it. Help is no longer limited to elderly/disabled or low-income families. Households that are ineligible for Social Services temporary housing programs will be referred to Church World Service. Church World Service eligibility requirements are: Residents must be impacted by recent sewage flooding; applicants must be vetted through an agency representative (the agency knows the client lives at the address impacted); a confirmed damage assessment is required; clients must have or create an Airbnb account and be able to use the Airbnb app on their phone; clients must have an email address, and the address must be the same address they used to create the Airbnb account.
Water delivery for elderly/disabled: Call Social Services at 707-995-4200, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to request delivery for households physically unable to refill their own water containers.
Well sanitization services: To schedule well sanitization services or for more information, please contact Environmental Health at 707-263-1164. Environmental Health staff are available to review your location, confirm whether your property falls within the mapped area and provide guidance on appropriate next steps.
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