Lift Station Generator Failure Causes Wastewater Spill

A generator failure at the City’s Main Wastewater Lift Station, near River Road and the I-35 Frontage Road, caused untreated wastewater to discharge into the San Marcos River in the early morning hours of Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.

The City’s water supply was not affected by the spill.

The Lift Station moves sewage to the treatment plant. As a result of the generator failure, the City’s monitoring system indicates approximately 1 million gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed into the river.

Crews corrected the issue Thursday afternoon and, as of this release, the lift station and wastewater treatment plant are operating normally. 

The overflow occurred at the piping area next to the San Marcos River. Downstream utilities and the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have been notified.

As required by Texas Administrative Code §319.303, this notice serves to inform the public of the following:

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.