June 21, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NO SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED FOR LAKE CORNELIUS
AFTER SEWAGE DISCHARGE

Cornelius, NC – A NO SWIMMING advisory has been issued for an area of Lake Cornelius at 20198 Holiday Lane in Cornelius after a sewage discharge into the lake. The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program (MCWQP) and the Mecklenburg County Health Department issued the advisory on Tuesday, June 21, following notification of the spill. 

An estimated 300 gallons of untreated sewage discharged to Lake Cornelius from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU) sewer line blocked with tree roots and grease. The discharge was discovered near the Bexley of Lake Norman Apartments on Monday, June 20 by CMU staff. Actions were taken on Monday to stop the discharge and repair the sewer.  CMU is now working to recover the sewage from the lake.

Water samples were collected today by MCWQP and sampling will be ongoing until levels of fecal coliform bacteria fall below 200-colonies/100 ml, which is the level determined to be safe for swimming.  The affected lake areas have been posted with “no swimming” signs and buoys for the duration of the advisory.

MCWQP Manager Rusty Rozzelle said the advisories are standard procedure. "It was necessary to close the areas to recreation because of the potential risk to human health as Lake Cornelius is designated as recreational waters,” said Rozzelle.