CLEARLAKE — The Lake County Environmental Health director advises people to avoid touching the ground, grass and water in the Highlands Harbor area, where sewage diluted by rainwater flowed down the street during the January storms.
“It is diluted,” Ray Ruminski said. “It still has bacteria, viruses and microorganisms that may be disease-causing even if it”s highly diluted.”
Ruminski said people shouldn”t panic, just avoid contact and wash their hands.
The Southeast Regional Wastewater Collection System collects and treats sewage from Pirates Cove north of Clearlake to Lower Lake. The system has been overcapacity, causing sewage spills heavily diluted by rainwater in the Highland Harbor area for years.
Sewage can carry Hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera, but more commonly causes gastrointestinal infections that usually go away with treatment in healthy people, Ruminski said. People who are immune system compromised, such as the very young or old, those who have had organ transplants and people receiving cancer treatment, may have more trouble fighting off gastrointestinal infections.
“If people come outside they need to be careful and avoid contact with the ground and water exposed to sewage,” Ruminski said.
Environmental Health and Special Districts posted warnings in English and Spanish of sewage contamination in the Highlands Harbor area.
Ruminski advises pet owners to try to restrict animals from the spilled area and clean them off, including their feet, before allowing them in the house, he said.
“If your dog is running through a sewage spill, he could transfer bacteria to you,” Ruminski said.
Sewage in streams can kill off native species by consuming oxygen, Ruminski said. Contamination also adds nutrients that help algae grow. The contamination levels from the recent spills were low.
Special Districts cleaned the spill area with a chlorine compound, but Ruminski said, “They can”t get everything.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
