HOUSTON – Despite significant flooding, the City of Houston water treatment plants are fully operational and water quality within the city-owned and -operated public systems throughout the city has not been affected, officials said.
Mayor Annise D. Parker has requested, and been granted, a Declaration of Disaster from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after Houston area received intense, sustained rainfall of 11 inches in less than six hours on May 25 and 26.
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The city said Thursday that three wastewater treatment plant service areas were impacted by the historic flooding: Cambridge Street between OST and 1900 East Road (through the storm drain to Sims Bayou), 10200 Eastex Freeway (through the storm drain to Halls Bayou) and 14506 Smith Road (through the storm drain to Greens Bayou).
In addition, the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 4211 Beechnut Avenue, was significantly impacted when Brays Bayou overflowed its banks, thus flooding the plant, and damaging electrical and mechanical systems. This caused more than 100,000 gallons of untreated wastewater to spill into the floodwaters in and around Brays Bayou.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was notified of the spill.
Officials said the spill has not caused any threat to the public at this time, but residents can still boil water if concerned.