The City of Midland announced on March 24 a wastewater spill near Lamesa Road and Mulberry Lane after a pipe break caused approximately 125,000 gallons of wastewater to discharge into a drainage draw. The incident was reported at about 8 a.m. and the spill was controlled by around 11 a.m. the same day.
The public notice is required under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations and aims to inform residents about potential risks while outlining precautionary measures for those in affected areas.
According to city officials, crews were dispatched immediately upon notification. Hydro-jetting operations were conducted to clear nearby manholes and confirm there were no further blockages in the system. A temporary containment dam was built within the drainage draw to stop additional migration of wastewater, and a temporary patch was placed on the damaged sewer line. Permanent repairs are being handled by an outside contractor, with cleanup and chlorination beginning once containment was achieved.
The city stated that while no private drinking water wells are known in use within the affected area, people using private wells within half a mile should distill or boil their water for at least one minute before personal use until testing confirms safety. Residents who buy water from public systems may contact their distributor regarding safety concerns, and all individuals are advised to avoid contact with waste material or potentially contaminated soil or water.
The City of Midland operates as a home rule city under its charter adopted Nov. 5, 1940 according to its official website. The city is located in the heart of the Permian Basin in Texas, influencing global energy production and regional growth according to its official website. It maintains more than 1,364 acres of parkland including neighborhood parks, community centers, pools, and sports complexes according to its official website.
Midland emphasizes values such as excellence, innovation, integrity, and inclusivity for community unity and prosperity according to its official website. The city also aims to deliver high-quality municipal services while fostering innovation and partnerships according to its official website, providing municipal operations along with recreational facilities and community development initiatives according to its official website.