Heavy Rains: San Angelo's Wastewater is Overflowing into Concho River

SAN ANGELO, TX — A spill of untreated wastewater from the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 1898 City Farm Road, into the Concho River is happening today.

This is about 1 mile north of the FM 380 bridge at the Concho River, east of San Angelo. The spill began at approximately 12:45 p.m. today and is ongoing. It will be in excess of 100,000 gallons. Efforts are being made to minimize the volume of the release.  

The area that could be affected is the Concho River downstream from the wastewater treatment facility, and private drinking water wells or river pumps near the river. A massive influx of water from this morning’s storm overwhelmed the raw water intake pumps at the treatment plant, resulting in the spill. Because of the heavy rains and the current high flow of the Concho River, the spill will be greatly diluted and the effects reduced by the time it reaches Ivie Reservoir, where it will be further diluted.  

Local government officials and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s regional office have been notified. City crews are collecting Concho River water samples to monitor any effects.  

The City offers transparency about the event. For more information, contact Water Utilities Director Allison Strube during business hours at 301 W. Beauregard Ave. or 325-657-4209.

Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2 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.

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. 

The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill. If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.