So Gross! 1.3 Million Gallons of Poo Poo Water Leaked into Nolan Creek

If you're in the Bell County area, you might want to avoid water activities in Belton due to a big, stinky mess.

According to a report from our news partners at KWTX, more than 1.3 million gallons of sewage water leaked into Nolan Creek on November 17.

Clear As Mud

The City of Belton describes Nolan Creek as, "a popular Belton destination for recreation in, around, and on the water."

The leak has since been stopped and a repair is underway. The cause for the leak has not been determined, but keep in mind that outflow from wastewater treatment plants in Killeen and Harker Heights has always contributed to the overall water flow of the stream.

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Water Safety and Quality

Paul Romer, a spokesperson with the City of Belton, has now advised that, "those who come into contact with the water should bathe and thoroughly wash clothes as soon as possible."

Nolan Creek is recommended as a Secondary Contact Recreation 1 waterway, according to Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.

That means recommended recreation activities should:

"Have limited body contact incidental to shoreline activity (e.g., wading by adults, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and motor boating). These activities are presumed to pose a less significant risk of water ingestion than primary contact recreation 1 or 2 but more than secondary contact recreation 2."

Personal Responsibility

While the folks at the City of Belton won't stop you from taking a dip into Nolan Creek, its obviously not a good idea.

Swimming and wading by children are primary contact activities that are not recommended in Nolan Creek, but signs are in place advising personal responsibility.