by Kim Hilsenbeck

Recent heavy rains and flooding are thought to be the cause of a recent discharge of more than 100,000 gallons of untreated domestic and commercial wastewater in Kyle.

A release from Aqua Operations (Aqua) Wednesday indicated the discharge occurred sometime between 7 p.m. May 25 and 8:30 a.m. May 2. It happened at a manhole at the northern edge of Waterleaf Park along the tree line and Plum Creek within the wastewater collection system for the Kyle Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 941 New Bridge Drive in Hays County.

Aqua notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about the spillage.

According to the release, Aqua has repaired the lift station and the city of Kyle has cleaned and disinfected the area affected by the discharge.

Last week city officials said they were working on areas throughout the wastewater system also affected by an influx of massive amounts of rain water. Raw sewage was bubbling out from a manhole on south Sledge Street. Kyle crews worked in the downtown area installing a check valve to relieve further backups of sewage into the East Buffet restaurant at the corner of Center and Front streets. Public Works Director said such incidents are not uncommon during heavy rain events.

City spokesperson Jerry Hendrix said Thursday that the city is investigating the incident at Waterleaf and within five business days will have a report on what they believe happened.

He reminded area residents that Kyle’s municipal drinking water system is not affected by this incident and that city water remains safe to drink. Hays County officials have issued warnings to well owners to boil water because of the potential for flood waters to contaminate wells, but city of Kyle water customers are not under a boil notice.