Sewage Spills Into Community’s Lake

A backup in a sewage line in northeastern Los Angeles County caused up to 700 gallons of untreated sewage to be discharged into a lake that sits partially in Ventura County, officials said Tuesday.

The blockage occurred Monday morning in a sewer line that runs near Agoura and Lakeview Canyon roads in Westlake Village, officials said.

The effluent flowed out of a manhole onto the street and spilled into a storm drain that runs into Westlake Lake, which straddles the county line. Hundreds of homes line the lake, which is used primarily for boating.

The blockage was cleared shortly before 1 p.m. Monday, but signs have been posted at all public entrances to the lake warning people to avoid contact with the water until 1 p.m. Thursday. By then, the bacteria level should have dissipated, officials said.

Debra Borsos, a spokeswoman for Ventura County’s Environmental Health Division, said she did not know what caused the blockage because the matter was handled by Los Angeles County employees.

Authorities with the Los Angeles Sanitation District did not return calls Tuesday.