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SAWS crews are making repairs and cleaning up an area impacted by a spill caused by a collapsed wastewater line within a drainage channel adjacent to U.S. Highway 281 North, near Jones Maltsberger Road. The spill traveled along the drainage channel to Olmos Creek, through Olmos Dam and continued downstream, ending just before Hildebrand. Biological surveys along the creek do not indicate any evidence of a fish kill.

“We believe that the soil in the area may have been affected by the recent heavy rains, contributing to a collapse of our wastewater pipe,” said SAWS Chief Operating Officer Steve Clouse. “We have isolated the spill, pumped remnants of it, and are flushing the area. Nearby residents can be assured that we will continue to monitor the area and address any continuing impacts.”

The first reports of sewer overflows came in yesterday, and SAWS crews responded to assess and identify impacted areas. Estimates are that more than 100,000 gallons were spilled due to the break. The spill was greatly diluted by existing flows in the creek bed, and no evidence of fish kills or other adverse impacts have been detected so far.