
The fallout from January’s huge sewage spill in Clearlake is now moving into the courtroom. More than 80 residents have filed lawsuits accusing Lake County of ignoring long-standing problems with the wastewater system before a pipe rupture dumped millions of gallons of sewage into nearby neighborhoods. Attorneys for the residents say families are still dealing with concerns over contaminated wells, property damage and possible groundwater exposure months later. The lawsuits are asking for financial damages and major upgrades to the county’s sewer infrastructure.