Untreated wastewater gushes into Houston bayous Private wells could be affected, but city drinking water not impacted

Water rises out of a manhole cover on White Oak drive near Houston Avenue in 2016. Water rises out of a manhole cover on White Oak drive near Houston Avenue in 2016. Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Untreated wastewater gushes into Houston bayous 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

After heavy rains and widespread flooding swept the area Wednesday, more than 1 million gallons of untreated wastewater gushed into Houston bayous, city officials said.

The Department of Public Works and Engineering reported that the sewage, diluted by rain water, escaped from a wastewater treatment facility on the city's east side and flowed into three bayous around the city Wednesday afternoon:

Halls Bayou got about 500,000 gallons near U.S. 59 and Parker in the Eastex-Jensen area.

White Oak Bayou received about 160,000 gallons near Interstate 45 and Wrightwood just north of downtown.

Buffalo Bayou near the University of Houston-Downtown got about 500,000 gallons.

The release is not uncommon after heavy rains and flooding, according to Alanna Reed of the public works department. It does not affect city drinking water but could contaminate private water wells within a half mile of the spills. Residents are discouraged from swimming in the bayous.

In a notice required by the state, public works officials warned that private well users should bring water to a rolling boil for a minute before using it for any personal purpose.

City workers spent hours cleaning up the affected bayous and collecting any solids left behind by the sewage, Reed said.

The untreated sewage release came from the 69th Street Wastewater Treatment Plant in east Houston's Magnolia Park neighborhood at 2525 S. Sgt. Macario Garcia Dr.