Wastewater Spilled into The Brazos River After Heavy Rains and Mechanical Failure
The heavy rains, along with a mechanical failure at the Waco Metropolitan Regional Sanitary Sewerage System Central Treatment Plant, have led to 5.5 million gallons of sewage being dumped into the Brazos River.
The spill was announced by the Waco Water Utility Services on Friday, May 28th. According to a City of Waco press release, the spill happened on Wednesday, May 26.
The City of Waco said the spill totaled 5.5 million gallons with 4.5 million gallons of wastewater making it into the Brazos River. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was notified and the clean-up process has already begun.
In he news release, officials said that they had no reason to believe that drinking water was affected by the spill, as the drinking water system is separate from the wastewater system.
However, they did offer some info on precautions folks can take.
- Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within ½ mile of the spill site or within the potentially affected area should use only water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses including drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing. Individuals with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling.
- Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use.
- The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.
- If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.