Sewer line contaminates lake near McCosh, Montlake parks

MOSES LAKE — Residents and visitors to Moses Lake are being advised to stay out of the water around McCosh and Montlake parks following a partial break in a wastewater line near the lakeshore after oddities were noticed in the city’s sewer system performance. 

“When we got in this morning, we noticed some discrepancies,” Moses Lake Wastewater Manager Chris Campbell said Monday. “We noticed some diminishing numbers.”  

That led to an investigation, which found the partially broken line in the 1300 block of Lakeshore Drive, according to a city press release. The break was discovered about 6:30 a.m. 

Lynne Lynch, the city’s communications and marketing director, said an outside contractor assessed the area Monday afternoon, and the analysis will continue Tuesday.  

The line is a major segment of the city's sewer system, Campbell said. Any flow to the broken link has been stopped. 

City officials aren’t sure when the break occurred, he said. City officials immediately sought outside assistance.  

Campbell said some untreated water did escape. 

“It is getting into the lake,” he said. 

Both Montlake and McCosh parks will remain open, including the Montlake boat launch, a city statement said. People are being advised to stay out of the water in those areas, though, and signs are posted in both parks. 

Because both parks are irrigated with lake water, the sprinkler systems will be turned off as needed, the statement said.  

Editor's Note: This story has been updated throughout.