Notice of Wastewater Discharge (08/16/2020)

WACO, TEXAS (August 16, 2021) – Due to substantial rainfall while a contractor was performing work on a lift station, an unauthorized discharge of wastewater has occurred from the City of Waco – Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sanitary Sewerage System (WMARSS).

The discharge, totaling approximately 180,000 gallons of domestic wastewater, occurred at the main lift station of the WMARSS Central Treatment Plant, 1147 Treatment Plant Rd. Approximately 90,000 gallons of the discharge entered the Brazos River. All discharges have stopped.

Facility Name: City of Waco - Waco Metropolitan Regional Sewerage System Central Treatment Plant
Person to contact for information: Lisa Tyer, (254) 750-8040
Location of spill(s): 1147 Treatment Plant Rd.
Estimated date and time of spill(s):  August 15, 1:30 p.m.
Estimated volume of spill(s)(number of gallons): 180,000
Type of Spill (domestic, industrial, other):  domestic wastewater
Area potentially affected: area near WMARSS Central Treatment Plant, 1147 Treatment Rd., Brazos River
Suspected cause of spill(s): substantial rainfall during construction work performed by a contractor

List of actions taken include, but are not limited to:

• Notification of appropriate local government officials
• Notification of TCEQ Regional Office
• Clean up activities are underway/completed

THIS IS NOT A BOIL WATER NOTICE. The information below includes mandatory health safety statements required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  The city’s wastewater collection system is completely separate from the drinking water system and the City of Waco has no reason to believe drinking water, distributed by the City of Waco, has been compromised or affected in any way.

Persons May Wish to Take the Following Personal Precautions:

• 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.