STPUD seeks public's help in preventing sewer spills during floods at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – With heavy rain on snow causing flooding, South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) asks customers to help prevent stormwater from entering the sewer system. Do not open manholes. Run sump pumps into the storm drain and not into the sewer system.

During rain-on-snow events, meadows and streets flood. Sewer mains and manholes in flooded areas can take on water, resulting in extremely high flows into the wastewater treatment plant. Compounding this issue is when manholes are intentionally opened or when individual sump pumps are run into the sewer system, which is illegal. Stormwater entering the system can cause the wastewater treatment plant to be inundated, increasing the risk of a sewer spill.

“In anticipation of the rain-on-snow event, our crews are refueling back-generators, securing manholes in known problem areas, staging emergency pumps, and expanding our standby personnel,” said John Thiel, STPUD general manager.

Help do your part to ensure reliable water delivery, wastewater collection, and prevent wastewater spills by conserving water during power outages, running sump pumps into storm drains, and not removing manholes.

If you see a manhole cover that has been moved during a storm, contact the
District immediately at 530-544-6474.