Kyle officials find temporary fix for wastewater plant,

Temporary pump system should keep sewage out of creek.

Kyle officials announced a pair of fixes Tuesday for city’s backed-up wastewater treatment plant, reducing the possibility that partially treated sewage might have to be released into Plum Creek.

City staff installed a temporary pump system at the malfunctioning plant Tuesday afternoon that will mimic the function of the part that broke Sunday morning.

Division Manager Jason Biemer said the city hoped to have the temporary pump running by Tuesday night.

City officials first alerted the public Monday to the broken component, which is in the part of the 17-yearold facility that removes solids from wastewater using a series of motorized rakes.

Water is still being treated and disinfected, but officials have said if the broken part is not fixed quickly, the buildup of solids would lead to issues and eventually the release of partially treated sewage into the creek. Such a release could trigger fines for the city, cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the water and harm or kill fish and other organisms.

As far as a long-term solution for the broken part, Biemer said staffers have found a replacement part and are working with a contractor to “verify its compatibility with our existing structure.”

“We anticipate having the components replaced and plant operations fully restored over the course of about a month,” Biemer said.