GREENVILLE — The City of Greenville is reporting the spillage of 21 million gallons of wastewater into the Cowleech Fork of the Sabine River this morning from the city's wastewater treatment plant.
City officials stress the spill does NOT affect the local water supply.
The statement issued by the city earlier a short time ago:
In accordance with the notification requirements of 30 TAC 319.302, the City of Greenville hereby provides notice that a spill from a wastewater treatment facility has occurred of 100,000 gallons or more of wastewater has occurred. The facility name: City of Greenville Wastewater Reclamation Center The facility location: 100 Division Street, Greenville, Texas 75402 For more information contact: the Superintendent at (903) 457-2991 The location of the spill: 100 Division Street, Greenville, Texas 75402 Latitude: Deg. 33 Min. 07 Sec. 14 (33.12055) Longitude: Deg. -96 Min. 04 Sec. 26 (-96.07389) The estimated date and time of the spill: began January 26, 2012, 11 am CST The estimate volume of the spill: as of January 27, 2012, 10 am CST the spill is estimated at 21,000,000 gallons The type of the spill: domestic A description of the area potentially affected, including a down-gradient and lateral distance from the spill site: Cowleech Fork of the Sabine River in Segment 507 The suspected cause of the spill: Pump station failure in conjunction with heavy inflow/infiltration due to recent heavy rains Containment of the spill: As of January 27, 2012, 10 am CST the spill continues. Officials believe the situation will be corrected no later than January 27, 2012, 5 pm CST. Recommendations: 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.