Torrential Rains Trigger Wastewater
Discharge in Blue Mound
SUGAR LAND, Texas, March 21, 2012 – Intense storms that hit the Tarrant County area on March 19th and 20th, damaged a section of wastewater pipes in Blue Mound causing a discharge of raw sewage. Operators with Monarch Utilities, owners of the Blue Mound Wastewater System discovered the damage during a routine inspection.
According to David Yohe, regional regulatory compliance manager for SouthWest Water Company, parent company for Monarch Utilities, on Tuesday, at approximately 10:35 in the morning an operator found a manhole over-flowing near the intersection of Globe and Independence. After an investigation, the cause of the overflow was determined to be damage to a collection line near a creek crossing that had been compromised during high flows from the heavy rains. The damaged area was excavated and repaired by 6:20 Tuesday evening.
The Company estimates that 118-thousand gallons of diluted domestic wastewater were discharged into the creek. The area possible affected by this spill would be those properties along the creek moving southeast from Globe and Independence towards Cantrell-Sansom Road.
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 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 materials, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill. If the public comes into contact with waste materials, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.
This notice has been supplied to Cities of Blue Mound and Fort Worth, Tarrant County and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. While the spill has been contained additional repair and clean-up will be continuing over the next two weeks.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Janice Hayes
Communications Manager, Texas Utilities
281.207.5927 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SouthWest Water Company
12535 Reed Road
Sugar Land, TX 77478
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