E. coli advisory issued after sewer leak at Lake Tahoe south shore

High levels of E. coli have been detected in water samples from Lake Tahoe's south shore after a sewer line leak, the U.S. Forest Service said in an announcement on Aug. 1.

The U.S. Forest Service said a broken sewer line at Camp Richardson Resort caused the E. coli outbreak.

The public is advised not to swim or recreate between Jameson Beach and the Valhalla Boathouse, where test samples have not exceeded state standards for E. coli, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Lake Tahoe's beaches are routinely monitored in summer and the E. coli outbreak was caught before any reported illnesses.

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of warm blooded animals, including humans. While most types of the bacteria are