City of Pearland, TX
11/18/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/18/2022 16:06
John Hargrove Water Reclamation Facility Unauthorized Discharge
PEARLAND, TEXAS - November 18, 2020 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations (30 TAC 319) require that municipalities report wastewater collection system overflows to the local media and local officials when overflows exceed 50,000 gallons and when the spill occurs within one-half (½) a mile of a public or private source of drinking water.
On Thursday, November 17, 2022, at approximately 7 a.m., the City of Pearland discovered that a domestic wastewater spill from the John Hargrove Water Reclamation Facility (Permit # WQ0010134007) occurred during tie-in from the existing basins to the new basins as part of the facility expansion. The planned schedule for the tie-in was to occur during the period of 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 2022, and it extended until 11:00 pm that day and the work was unsuccessful. Staff arrived at the site at 7:00 a.m. on November 17, 2022, to an overflow condition that was contained to an on-site trench that contained the tie-in connection.
During the tie-in, the contractor was unable to properly align the new piping system to the existing line within the planned timeframe. As a result, the existing basin began to decant and leaked a total of approximately 86,000 gallons of partially treated domestic wastewater into an on-site trench. The spill was intermittent during the tie-in attempts as it occurred when a specific basin was discharging flow. The flow was contained and pumped back into the treatment system during this time. After multiple attempts by the contractor to correct were unsuccessful, the new line was disconnected, and the pipe plugged. The spill was contained to the facility construction site and did not enter any public area or waterway and did not impact City of Pearland water system. As well, all was pumped back into the treatment plant system and the area properly disinfected. Additional measures taken included notification to the nearby private water system to coordinate water testing and discussions with the contractor to require future tie-ins have multiple contingency plans to prevent a recurrence.
Per 30 TAC 319, the following precautionary statements are required in this notification:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.
4. 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.
For questions or concerns contact Public Works at 281.652.1900.
All notifications required by 30TAC 319 have been completed.