LRWQCB Meeting Debrief 9.13.18Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Presentation Debrief
9/13/18 at 8:30am
The South Lake Tahoe water suppliers addressed the PCE groundwater contamination at the Lahontan
Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting during the public comment period on September 13,
2018 at 8:30AM.
Richard Solbrig, South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD), presented the contamination map showing
72% of South Tahoe’s Public Water Supply under threat from the PCE contamination. Immediate steps
are necessary to protect South Lake Tahoe’s drinking water supply and he asked the LRWQC Board for
their support identifying resources to clean-up the contamination. Immediate planning needs identified
include a multi-agency Emergency Response Plan and a multi-agency water system modeling to ensure
adequate emergency supply. Immediate actions identified include site, permit, design and construction
of sentinel wells to protect uncontaminated water supply wells.
Jennifer Lukins, Lukins Brothers Water Company, reported that four of their five wells have been
contaminated with PCE. She asked for help approving their grant application to install treatment on
LBWC well 5 and fund a Source Replacement Feasibility Study.
Rick Robillard, Tahoe Keys Water Company, reported that two of their three wells have PCE
contamination and requested funding for well site replacement and piping modifications to install a
portable treatment facility should TKWC well 1 exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL). He also
requested funding for zone testing TKWC well 2 to determine the extent of the contamination.
In attendance to show support on this issue were:
• Kendra Johnson, from Senator Ted Gaines office,
• Nicole Cartwright, Executive Director of Tahoe Resource Conservation District,
• Shay Navarro, Stormwater Program Manager for Tahoe Regional Planning Agency,
• Jim Jones, STPUD Board Member and Tahoe Keys Water Quality Committee,
• Kirk Wooldridge, General Manager for Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association,
• Shannon Cotulla, Assistant General Manager for STPUD, and
• Shelly Thomsen, Water Conservation Specialist for STPUD.
The LRWQC Board thanked the water suppliers for highlighting the issue and encouraged them to work
with their staff moving forward.