LAKE WYLIE — A “No Swimming” advisory was lifted Tuesday for Paw Creek Cove on Lake Wylie after hundreds of thousands of untreated sewage was released on July 16, officials said.
The advisory was issued on July 17.
According to Mecklenburg County officials, the spill began at 5:30 p.m. July 16 and stopped at 1:19 p.m. July 17. Crews estimate 847,000 gallons of untreated sewage were discharged near the Paw Creek Lift Station on Old Dowd Road and into the lake.
On July 23, officials announced that water samples collected by staff with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services revealed bacteria counts were within safe limits.
That is except for the area at the back of the cove nearest the discharge. so, the area of the “No Swimming” advisory was reduced. See the updated map below. The red area is still designated as a “No Swimming” zone.
[ ALSO READ: ‘No swim’ advisory lifted at Lake Norman cove after sewage leak ]
A “pipe alignment issue” during a construction project caused the leak, officials said. The pipe has been repaired and the sewage is no longer being released into the river.
Results from sampling performed on July 26 revealed that bacteria counts were within safe levels for the back of the cove; therefore, the advisory for the entire cove is being lifted.
Donna Douglas had 15 people attend her grandson’s fifth birthday party over the weekend of the discharge.
Her family and friends were in the water for two hours before a neighbor told them about the advisory.
“We all jumped out of the water and started hosing off everything,” Douglas said. “The whole time we’re swimming and the whole time we’re swimming in sewage.”
Douglas said she won’t swim in that area again.
Rusty Rozzelle, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ Water Quality Program Manager, said the advisories were standard procedure.
“Since Paw Creek Cove on Lake Wylie is used for recreation, it is important to inform residents of the discharge and advise against swimming in the impacted area due to the potential risk to human health,” Rozzelle said.
Charlotte Water spokesman Cam Coley said the spill was downstream from Mountain Island Lake, the source of Charlotte’s drinking water, and didn’t expect the spill to affect drinking water.
(WATCH BELOW: Rock Hill needs at least 40 lifeguards to open all city pools, but only has 3)
This browser does not support the video element.