City Camera Compliance Statement
City of Soap Lake
The City of Soap Lake ensures that all city-operated cameras are installed, maintained, and utilized in full compliance with Washington State law and applicable federal privacy regulations. This includes all fixed city surveillance cameras as well as authorized Ring security cameras used by city departments and facilities.
All cameras located in open and public spaces are operated solely for legitimate public safety, infrastructure protection, and operational purposes. Cameras are positioned only in areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, consistent with RCW 9.73 and other applicable Washington statutes governing public video monitoring and privacy rights.
In compliance with Washington’s two-party consent law, audio streaming and recording functions are permanently disabled on all city and Ring cameras. This ensures that no audio conversations or sound-based data are captured, maintaining strict adherence to state privacy protections.
All video data collected by the City of Soap Lake is retained and managed according to state public records retention schedules and is accessible only to authorized personnel for official city business, law enforcement purposes, or as otherwise required by law.
The City remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and public trust, ensuring that all surveillance technology is used responsibly to enhance safety and security while safeguarding the privacy rights of all residents and visitors.
-Mayor Sharp
CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON
10-02-2025 & 10-03-2025
CITY HALL WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY
IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911
POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPEN
There of been reports of sewage running into the lake near West Beach and at the end of Dogwood St. Public Works has been down to investigate the reports and has been in contact with the Department of Ecology. This is not sewage. We confirmed with a local resident who has been in this immediate area for decades that this is a natural spring that very commonly runs this time of year. It is not always as visible as it is this year due to the low lake level. It is normal to have a smell of sewer in that area do to the #2 lift station located at the north end of Dogwood. Public works also tested the water for the presence of ammonia. Sewer would be around 40mg/l. The water flowing into the lake is .030mg/l. This actually helps the lake get some of its minerals back, as the natural water flows across the mud beads. Thank You for Your Concern for Our Unique Lake.
Director of Public Works, Eli Olson
