City officials are urging well water users near the area of a large sewage spill during Hurricane Harvey last month to boil their water until it can be tested.
More than 100,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled following equipment failure related to flooding at the Lumberton Waste Water Treatment Plant on August 29 and 30 according to a release from the Lumberton Municipal Utility District.
The exact volume of the spill is unknown and officials are awaiting an estimated volume at a later date according to the release.
From the Lumberton Municipal Utility District...
A spill from the Lumberton Waste Water Treatment Plant located at 619 FM 421, Lumberton, Texas occurred between August 29, 2017 and August 30, 2017
The spill was more than 100,000 gallons of untreated domestic sewage. An estimated volume will be determined at a later date as more information becomes available to us.
The area potentially affected by the spill includes a half mile radius around the sewer treatment plant along with an unnamed ditch 4000 foot southwest of the intersection of FM 421 and Hwy 69, to Boggy Creek, to Pine Island Bayou to segment 0607 of the Neches River Basin.
The cause of the spill was local heavy rainfall, flooding, and equipment failure due to submergence related to Hurricane Harvey.
The Lumberton Municipal Utility District water supply has been tested and is safe for personal use.
Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within ½ mile of the affected area that have been flooded 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.
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.
Appropriate Local County, City, and State officials have been notified including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The spill was impossible to contain under the circumstances which occurred.
Lumberton MUD has increased monitoring of its water system. There was very little debris left on site due to the storm water flow.
For additional information contact Roger Fussell, District Manager at 409 755 1559.