Lake Accotink in Springfield is once again in the crosshairs as contaminated water was detected upstream from the lake causing the lake to be closed temporarily while officials worked to clear the source of the problem.
On Friday, June 30, the Fairfax County Wastewater Management Program identified a sewage spill upstream of Lake Accotink. Out of an abundance of caution, immediate closure of lake activities is recommended for activities involving contact with the lake as the water may be contaminated, the DPWES said.
Lake Accotink Park remained open. The Park Authority suspended its lake-based programs and activities (boating and fishing). The park, trails and park amenities remained open for guests to use throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. The signs posted by DPWES instructed residents to simply avoid contact with the water.
The cause was a sewage spill which was cleaned up immediately after the initial spill. The following day, bacterial testing began on the water in Lake Accotink showing the bacteria levels were not elevated. This indicates the cleanup effort was done in time to prevent downstream contamination from reaching Lake Accotink, Fairfax County said. The cautionary signs at the lake were removed at that time.