PRESS RELEASE – The heavy rains Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 caused two sanitary sewer overflows to occur from the Fort Worth collection system. Rainwater enters the collection system through cracks in the city’s lines or through cracks in private plumbing lines.
Fort Worth’s drinking water is not impacted by these overflows. 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.
The water utility has notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and required elected officials of these discharges. Stream water quality sampling will be conducted.
People using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-mile of a spill site or within a 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.