Sinkhole blamed on rotted roots, animals

Sandy soil, rotted roots and burrowing animals were what caused a percolation pond's wall to give out in Livingston, releasing about 3 million gallons of treated sewage into the Merced River, according to a report by Condor Earth Technologies.

The report, attached for your own reading enjoyment, was given to me by City Manager Richard Warne a couple days back. It shows there wasn't any negligence on the city's part, though concedes that most of the evidence of what caused the collapse crumbled and washed away. It suggests the city regularly inspect for signs of erosion.

At the last meeting, Councilman Frank Vierra hinted that he thinks the city could be subject to fines or lawsuits because it faced such penalties last time there was a spill at the sewage.

Last I heard, the State Regional Water Quality Control Board is still investigating the failure and impacts, and hasn't decided whether to pursue any actions.