Boil order issued after wastewater spill

City’s supply deemed safe, but not private wells in struck areas

Heavy rain Friday night caused several thousand gallons of wastewater to spill at three sites in Houston and has prompted a boil order for nearby well users.

An estimated 117,000 gallons of “untreated domestic wastewater mixed with storm water” is believed to have spilled in the 200 block of North Travis Street, near the University of Houston Downtown campus, following the storm that continued through Saturday morning, according to Houston Public Works officials. The two other impacted areas include 1200 Wrightwood Street and 10200 Eastex Freeway, near Parker Road.

The city blames several inches of “intense, sustained rainfall” of up to 6 inches for causing spills leading up to the 69th Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. The brunt of the spillage happened in the Wrightwood area with more than 206,000 gallons of wastewater, while 168,000 gallons spilled near the Eastex Freeway.

The city warns that residents who rely on wells near these sites should use distilled water or bring their water to a rolling boil before drinking, cooking or bathing with it. Those with access to a private well should have the water tested and disinfected, depending on the results.

The city said its water supply is safe to drink and residents “do not need to boil your water.”

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified of the spillage, the city said.