Healthy Alternatives Distributors - Your Water Filtration System Solution





		Tests find E. coli in homes affected by sewage spill Tahoe World / Megan Feldman Almost two months after raw sewage backed up into five homes near the Brockway Golf Course in Kings Beach, test results released this week show the bacteria E. coli and two other fecal contaminants still linger in three of the five homes affected, homeowners reported. Occupants of the homes on Brassie, Avenue, several of whom have spent weeks overseeing restoration of their homes, have criticized the North Tahoe Public Utility District's handling of the spill and expressed shock and disgust at the recent findings. "Here we are living in it - this is absolutely making us sick," said homeowner Richard Davis. His house was the most damaged by the spill and he and his wife Pamalla moved back in on Feb. 21 after their floor and other parts of their house were replaced. They had recently remodeled their home before the incident. The residents of two other houses left to stay in local motels after the test results came out Tuesday. Contractors are replacing contaminated portions of the houses and some occupants have requested additional testing. A grease blockage caused the Feb. 7 sewer line back-up, and when NTPUD crews used a vactor truck to remove the blockage, additional waste overflowed from a property cleanout, according to a district report. THe Davis' cockatoo died on Feb. 14, seven days after the spill. They say the bird, which had lived only 11 years of its 80-year life span, had been healthy and must have died from the contamination or the chemicals used to clean it up. THE NTPUD's insurance company is challenging that claim, however.

"My hands are shaking knowing there's still contaminants in this house, and being questioned about the death of the bird," Richard said.

John Kirby of ASU Group, the district's insurance carrier, did not return phone calls from the Tahoe World.

The Davis' say they're billing the insurance $1,7000 for the cockatoo, plus additional costs they incurred when they had to buy new linens, towels and clothing after their's were contaminated.

NTPUD General Manager John Hassenplug said the total amount of spilled sewage was estimated at 50 gallons. But Richard said that's conservative, saying he'd guess about 25 gallons backed up into his bathroom alone.

The Davis' have criticized the NTPUD's handling of the spill, stressing that tests for contaminants were only conducted because they demanded them following the death of the bird.

"They never told us at any time to leave our home or remove our animals," he said. The microbiologist who did the testing, Larry Bolani, told them the house should have been quarantined and tested immediately, Richard said. Bolani could not be reached for comment.

NTPUD Public Works Director Lee Schegg said the district has never tested for contaminants following past sewage spills, and that they only ordered tests in this case because the homeowners requested them. The district has always cleaned and disinfected spill sites, and repaired any damage, he said, but operating procedures don't call for tests.

It's been pretty much standard operating procedure - we've given this particular circumstance a lot more time than I think has been the norm," he said.

The district has discussed adoption of new standards for spill cleanup, Schegg said, and plans to produce a fact sheet for people who have had spills in their homes.

Pamalla, a teacher, has lost more than 20 pounds over the past two months due to stress, her husband said. Richard, a Gulf War veteran who's studying to be a radiologist, says he's struggling to recoup costs from the insurance company, which reportedly has offered to pay no more than 50 percent of what they spent replacing damaged possessions, including the value of their bird. Richard estimates the district owes them $4,400, not including the $8,000 for their home's restoration. That sum will be settled between the insurance company and the district, he said.

Schegg said he's done all he can to help the affected homeowners, but stressed that the value of possessions lost or damaged depreciates based on the period they were used.

Tests find E. coli in homes affected by sewage spill