Warning to Lake Tahoe Tech Elites: High Potential of Fecal Contamination in Water
Residents of Incline Village, one of Lake Tahoe’s most affluent areas known for hosting several Silicon Valley billionaires, have received a warning about possible contamination of their water supply. Authorities have issued a boil water notice after an unexpected system failure.
Public Health Advisory
“The community’s water system experienced an event that resulted in loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause backpressure, backsiphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems.”
These conditions may allow harmful contaminants, including fecal matter, to enter the water lines. Officials cautioned that this situation poses a significant and immediate health threat to all residents using the water system.
“Such a system failure carries with it a high potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system. These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.”
Precautionary Measures
“DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.”
Residents are urged to boil all water before consumption or use it for cooking and cleaning until further notice. The advisory includes detailed safety procedures for households to ensure no exposure to potentially dangerous pathogens.
Author’s Summary
Incline Village residents, including wealthy tech elites, face a serious water contamination risk due to system pressure loss and must boil water before use to prevent illness.