Sewage Leak Contaminates Folsom Lake in El Dorado Hills
- A sewage leak from an old pipe in El Dorado Hills contaminated Browns Ravine at Folsom Lake on Sunday night.
- Pump trucks were deployed to address the leak, but some sewage also affected the nearby Rolling Hills Estates community.
- Officials are testing the water for contamination and have posted warning signs, but residents are concerned about the lack of communication regarding the lake's safety.
On Sunday night, a sewage leak occurred from an old pipe on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills, leading to contamination in Browns Ravine at Folsom Lake. The leak was detected around 9:30 p.m., prompting immediate action from the El Dorado Irrigation District, which deployed pump trucks to mitigate the situation. Despite their efforts, some sewage entered the lake and also affected the nearby gated community of Rolling Hills Estates, where residents reported visible sewage flooding in their driveways. By noon on Monday, crews had repaired the damaged pipe, which had a history of issues and is scheduled for replacement. Officials are currently testing the water in Browns Ravine to assess the extent of contamination, but results may take several days. The irrigation district has communicated with El Dorado County Environmental Health and is following established protocols. Residents expressed concern over the lack of communication regarding the safety of the lake, with some questioning whether the contamination might extend beyond Browns Ravine. Red warning signs have been posted to advise against contact with the water, but there has been no formal public service announcement to inform the broader community. As testing continues, officials emphasize the importance of safety and are committed to providing updates once they have clearer information about the water quality. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure and the potential risks posed to public health and local ecosystems.