GRANT COUNTY, WA — Grant County Health District (GCHD) is advising the community to avoid the Pelican Horn area of Moses Lake due to a sewage spill. Recent lake water testing confirms high levels of fecal coliform organisms (coliforms) in this area, above acceptable levels for freshwater.
Do not swim, fish, or have any contact with lake water in the impacted areas. This advisory does not affect drinking water, and no sewer services were affected.
Fecal coliforms are a group of bacteria found in the feces of people, livestock, pets, and wildlife. Exposure to increased levels of fecal coliforms may cause illness. Symptoms may include upset stomach, diarrhea, ear infections, and rashes. In some instances, persons may become infected with E. coli, hepatitis, or Salmonella. If you had contact with the impacted lake water and have symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
Current Situation
On Monday, July 7th at 6:30 a.m., a sewage line was found broken near the lake’s shoreline on the 1300 block of Lakeside Drive. The wastewater line was quickly shut off upon discovery. Repair work continues at the time of this advisory. Repair efforts from the City of Moses Lake so far include:
- Redirecting pre-treated wastewater flows to the emergency outfall. The emergency outfall is a safety feature designed to protect people during emergencies, such as flooding and sewer backups. The emergency outfall was designed for this purpose specifically.
- Testing lake water for bacteria at regularly scheduled times and locations.
- Posting warning signs near the affected areas.
- Bringing in external contractors, who began work on Tuesday, July 8th.
Stay Informed and More Information
Once water tests from upstream and downstream show similar and safe levels of fecal coliform, water activities can resume in Moses Lake. GCHD will notify you when the advisory is lifted. The City of Moses Lake is the main source of information for this situation. View the City of Moses Lake’s health advisories at https://www.cityofml.com/civicalerts.aspx or visit their Facebook page.