Water quality tests will reveal extent of sewage leak into Browns Ravine at Folsom Lake

More answers are expected later this week into the effects of an El Dorado Hills pipe leak which sent sewage into Browns Ravine at Folsom Lake. The leak happened Sunday night near Green Valley Road and Francisco Drive, said Jesse Saich, spokesperson with the El Dorado Irrigation District. The leak occurred as a result of an aging pipe and resulted in some sewage flowing into Browns Ravine, where the Folsom Lake Marina is. Officials at the El Dorado County Irrigation District (EID) conducted water quality tests and expect results back later this week. "Although EID was able to capture a significant portion of the volume that leaked, the District believes that a portion may have reached Folsom Reservoir, specifically in the area of Browns Ravine," said a statement from the EID. "EID is committed to minimizing any environmental impact and is working diligently to address the situation. Crews will remain assigned until all affected areas have returned to normal, including those areas nearest to the repair as well as the Browns Ravine area of Folsom Reservoir." Officials don't know yet exactly how much sewage made it into the lake, but crews were on the scene within a half hour with pumper trucks. The sewer force main was strategically isolated from operation and was completely dewatered to repair the leak several hours later, said officials from EID. One resident in the area where the leak occurred captured video of the sewage in the street and uploaded it onto YouTube. As he recorded several minutes of video showing the extent of the leak, Benz Hunter said, "You do not want to go in the water tomorrow." The sewer line was repaired several hours after the leak and later the damaged section of the pipeline was replaced. Water quality testing results are expected to come out later this week with more rounds of testing next week. "EID staff are closely coordinating with our partner agencies to protect public health and ensure water quality," said a statement from EID officials.