Clearlake daycare provider and residents say Robin Lane sewage spill left families without reliable help

Residents affected by the March Robin Lane sewage spill described lingering water discoloration, odors and emotional and economic strain during public comment at the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ April 28 meeting.

Stephanie Pesceno, licensed child care provider and co-owner of Sunnyside Day Care in Clearlake, told the board that families and small businesses have been given repeated reassurances but continue to live with uncertainty: "We're being told things were being handled and that support would be available. But for many of us residents, it has felt like hope is repeatedly being offered without real long-term solutions following behind it."

Pesceno said deliveries of replacement water have stopped, families were left feeling abandoned during a highly stressful period, and that changing support requirements and inconsistent information have made accessing aid harder. "Water deliveries have stopped. Many families were left feeling abandoned most during one of the most stressful situations they've ever faced," she said.

She urged county leaders not to offer temporary reassurances to calm the public but to provide consistent follow-through and concrete actions that restore residents’ confidence in safety and services.

What’s next: The board heard the testimony during public comment; no formal action or vote on remediation was recorded during the April 28 meeting. Residents asked the board to prioritize clear, consistent information on water safety and reliable delivery or access to alternative water and support services.