Update from the city of Bryan:
On May 26, 2016, at 4:45 p.m., the City of Bryan Still Creek Wastewater Plant, located at 2828 Quality Park Lane, was significantly impacted when Still Creek overflowed its banks due to intense rainfall and area flooding. Once the floodwater entered the site, it quickly engulfed portions of the facility and submerged electrical/mechanical equipment. The plant was offline for approximately 14 hours while staff worked to evacuate the water so service could be restored.
Over the duration of the outage, an estimated 4.5 million gallons of untreated domestic wastewater was released into the floodwater in and around Still Creek. The affected area includes Still Creek flowing southwest from FM 2818 downstream of the plant.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was notified of the incident. Although the facility is back in operation, crews are continuing efforts to fully restore service and remediate the site.
Because the spill is estimated to be over 100,000 gallons, the following precautionary actions are recommended:
1. Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within ½ 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.
2. Although the City of Bryan’s water supply was not impacted by this incident, persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use.
3. The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.
4. If the public comes in to contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.
Original post:
The City of Bryan’s Public Works Director, Jayson Barfknecht discussed Thursday’s tornado and how it affected the city during a visit on The Infomaniacs on Friday, May 27.
Click below to hear Jayson Barfknecht visiting with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia.