Temporary repairs completed on damaged Moses Lake wastewater pipe

MOSES LAKE — The first phase of repairs has been completed on a broken wastewater line, keeping people and pets out of Moses Lake near Montlake Park. People are still being advised to stay out of the lake next to the park until further notice. Chris Campbell, the city’s wastewater manager, said in a city press release that he appreciated the patience of the residents near the worksite. 

“We put in some very long hours last week, and I am more than certain we disrupted your peace, quiet and sense of smell,” Campbell said. “There will be no more late nights unless absolutely necessary.” 

The partially broken line was discovered July 6; it connects to the city’s Dunes wastewater treatment facility. Temporary repairs were completed in less than a week, with the damaged line going back into use at 1 a.m. July 12.

The broken section was found July 9. Some shoreline trees were removed and will be replanted.  

“The break is right on the shoreline and six feet deeper than the water level of the lake,” Campbell said July 10. 

While the line was out of commission, city officials used an emergency outfall near Mountlake Park to release pretreated water. But because the original break allowed untreated wastewater into the lake, people are being asked to stay out of the water around Montlake Park — and keep their pets out of the water — until water tests in the area meet certain standards.  

“The goal is to have upstream and downstream water tests match,” said Lynne Lynch, communications and marketing specialist for the city, in a July 8 press release.  

City officials will replace sections of the damaged pipe and will analyze the incident to determine why the pipe broke, Lynch said.