TEMPLE, Texas — Heavy rainfall has caused an overflow of a sanitary sewer in Temple, the City announced on Monday, April 29.
According to the City of Temple, rainfall overloaded the sewer system on Sunday, April 28, causing an overflow at 3420 Northwood Road.
As of the afternoon of April 29, the City said the overflow consisted of an estimated 106,200 gallons and was still going.
The City said utility crews have cleaned and disinfected the area, and have staged chlorine at the source of the overflow and dechlorinated the receiving stream. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has reportedly been notified.
The City said the TCEQ gave the following precautionary statements:
- Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-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.
The City of Temple said its water system is unaffected. Anyone with questions about the overflow can contact 254-298-5611.
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