In a heartfelt video message, Stephen Dabasinskas, candidate for City Councilor, expresses his concern about the deteriorating water quality of Lacamas Lake, a cherished natural treasure in the Camas. Over the past five years, the lake has faced alarming declines in water quality, with toxic warnings posted daily during the summer months.

The lake, once a scenic and idyllic haven, is now plagued by toxic algae, rendering it unsafe for swimming, pets, and often exceeding state-mandated toxicity levels by over 1000 percent. The Clark County Health Department has issued clear warnings, advising against swimming, water skiing, or contact with the water. The situation has become so dire that toxin advisories now extend from spring through the entire summer, culminating in the lake’s draining.

Despite years of discussions and substantial investments in consulting services, city leaders still have failed to take any action that actually improves the water quality of Lacamas Lake. This neglect is a stark contrast to the $22 million spent on acquiring the surrounding lands as part of the Legacy Lands Project, all presumably designed to protect the lake’s environs from development or sprawl.

And just recently, a troubling discovery reveals a toxin problem in the city’s drinking water supply, specifically in Well 13, which regularly tests positive for PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). These “forever chemicals” resist degradation and are found in various products, posing serious health risks. While city officials grapple with the origins and fluctuations of PFAS levels, Dabasinskas calls for the immediate shutdown of Well 13 to safeguard the community’s drinking water.

Dabasinskas emphasizes that the health of our water directly correlates with the health of our community. He vows to prioritize the preservation of our recreational watershed and prudent oversight and communication of the state of our potable water system when he becomes your next City Council member. To learn more about his legislative vision for Camas, he invites everyone to visit his website, stephen4council.com, and join him in taking concrete action to restore Lacamas Lake and make Camas the very best it can be.