Above: The location of the city’s water tank

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information related to the vandalism of a water tank serving the City of Blue Lake.

On Dec. 13, 2021, at about 9:52 a.m., an official from the City of Blue Lake contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to report the vandalism of a city-owned water tank. According to the city, an unknown individual(s) illegally accessed the water tank, damaging it and causing an uncontrolled loss of water. It is estimated that a total of 200,000 gallons of water was lost prior to the discovery and an additional 200,000 gallons was lost due to repair activities.

The City of Blue Lake reports that residents should not experience direct impacts from this loss at this time. City staff continue to monitor water levels and quality, and are working to repair the tank.  

“The intentional sabotage to a water supply system is a federal offense and is considered a form of domestic terrorism,” Blue Lake City Manager Mandy Mager said. “The city will be seeking to press charges on the individual(s) responsible to the fullest extent.”

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is working in coordination with the FBI and other state partners to investigate this crime.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.