100K gallon wastewater spill now cleaned in SE Houston, according to city officials

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Thousands upon thousands of gallons of wastewater were cleaned up in southeast Houston, according to city officials.

Officials said the spill was first reported on Jan. 2 at around 8 p.m. at a facility on Goodyear Drive near Sims Bayou. The City of Houston said the spill was caused by a structural failure.

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Public works confirmed to ABC13 that the spillage did get into the Sims Bayou. Officials said investigators have been monitoring water quality and haven't seen any significant differences in water quality upstream and downstream of the spill location.

Public works said as of 9 a.m. on Monday, the sanitary sewer overflow had been removed.

The department described how the pipeline was challenging to repair because of how old the infrastructure is, and the pipeline material is no longer manufactured.

The spill reportedly even impacted the drinking water for some in the area.

Officials said water from the city of Houston was safe, but those on private wells within half a mile of the spill were urged to boil any water for personal use.

Public works said owners and operators of those private wells should consult the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for guidance on how to disinfect their wells.

Officials told ABC13 the pipeline is over 60 years old and that there are plans to replace it in the city's Capital Improvement Program.

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