Warning to Lake Tahoe Tech Elites: There Is ‘High Potential’ That You Are Drinking Poop Water

Warning to Lake Tahoe Tech Elites: Possible Fecal Contamination in Water Supply

Tech leaders and residents of one of California’s wealthiest Lake Tahoe communities face a serious water safety alert. Authorities have issued a boil water notice for Incline Village, home to several Silicon Valley billionaires, after a suspected contamination incident.

Boil Water Advisory in Incline Village

The local utility reported a sudden drop in water pressure that could allow external materials to enter the system through cracks or joints in the pipes. Such conditions can lead to contamination by harmful substances.

“The community’s water system experienced an event that resulted in loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause backpressure, backsiphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems.”

Potential Health Risks

Officials warn that the failure could result in bacteria or other dangerous microbes contaminating the local supply.

“Such a system failure carries with it a high potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system,” the notice continues. “These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.”

Safety Guidance

“DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.”

The warning includes additional steps for residents to ensure water safety until regular service and testing confirm the system is secure.

Author’s summary: Residents of Incline Village, a wealthy Lake Tahoe enclave, must boil tap water due to possible fecal contamination following a loss of system pressure.

more

Gizmodo Gizmodo — 2025-11-06

More News