Sewage Leaks Into Hayden Lake

A sewage leak into Hayden Lake has prompted environmental officials to advise people to stay out of the water until Feb. 11.

The sewer line break was reported on last Wednesday, but it’s unknown how it broke or how long it was broken, said John Tindall of the state Division of Environmental Quality.

The break was fixed within two hours, but an unknown quantity of sewage escaped and ran into the lake. The break was on Upper Hayden Road on the southwest side of the lake.

Because of the season, DEQ officials aren’t overly concerned about people coming into contact with the untreated sewage, which could spread disease.

“It would be a different scenario if this were the summer,” Tindall said. He added that residents don’t draw water out of the lake in that area.

The line that broke was installed in the mid-80s. Tindall said that the Hayden Lake Recreational Water and Sewer District and the DEQ would be inspecting more lines to try to prevent any similar problems.

, DataTimes