Michael Norris, the manager of wastewater utility systems for the city of Tyler, addresses reporters about a 100,000-gallon sewage spill in an unincorporated area of Smith County. He spoke at the headquarters for Tyler Water Utilities on Nov. 15, 2018 in Tyler, Texas. (Erin Mansfield/Tyler Morning Telegraph)  

More than 100,000 gallons of sewage spilled out into Black Fork Creek early Thursday morning after officials say a sewer main broke.

Michael Norris, the city of Tyler’s manager of wastewater utility systems, estimated that the main would be repaired within two or three days. He said the impact on humans and wildlife is minimal because the break is in an isolated location and the chemistry of the creek in winter helps protect fish.

“We notified TCEQ this morning first thing, and then we made every attempt to get equipment and things we need to make these repairs on-site,” Norris said Thursday. “That does take some time. It is a large line.”

The domestic sewage spill happened about 8:30 a.m. underwater in Black Fork Creek near County Road 427, northwest of Tyler city limits, Norris said. It had not yet been contained as of Thursday evening.

A water crew from Southern Utilities Co. discovered the issue and notified the city’s wastewater superintendent, who in turn notified Norris. He said he notified state regulators at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality immediately.

Jenny Wells, a spokeswoman for the city, said the issue does not affect the city’s municipal drinking water system because drinking water and wastewater systems are physically separate from each other and are both considered “closed.” 

The city advised people with private wells who live within a half-mile of the spill location to boil their water until further notice. However, there is no boil water notice for customers of Tyler Water Utilities, the city’s utility department.

“The sanitary sewer system collects wastewater throughout the city and flows by gravity to a wastewater treatment plant,” Norris said. “This particular line flows to the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant.” That plant is located at 14939 County Road 46, he said.

Norris said the most likely cause of the break was the heavy rain over the past few days combined with the age of the infrastructure and the fact that the pipe is under a body of water.

“It’s under a creek bed,” he said. “Creek beds change with weather.”

Norris said it’s common for cities to own utility infrastructure outside of city limits. He said the largest sewer mains that the city owns in the county are about 54 inches in diameter, making the 42-inch pipe relatively large. So was the 100,000-gallon spill, he said.

“I would say on average if we have an accident they’re between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons,” he said.

LouAnna Campbell contributed to this report. 

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PERSONS MAY WISH TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

• Don’t swim in affected area streams, ponds or lakes.
• Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within one-half 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.
• The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.

Source: City of Tyler