City seeks help for sewer leaks

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS — Mayor Herman “Berry” White estimated 100,000 gallons of sewage overflowed into the lake during a recent rain storm. The picture, included in a presentation about the city’s wastewater situation, shows lines overflowing near the lake during the rain. SUBMITTED

The City of Runaway Bay is seeking $6 million to stop its sanitary sewer system from possibly contaminating Lake Bridgeport, which officials describe as an emergency that could potentially affect millions.

The city along with its engineering firm Freese and Nichols recently shared its wastewater situation with citizens, neighboring city managers, and state representatives and officials, bringing the imminent water contamination issue to light, as it seeks financial assistance to solve the problem.

Following rain events, Runaway Bay’s aging sewer system has overflowed and bubbled into nearby Lake Bridgeport.

“For a little city with a $3.9 million budget, there’s no way we can tackle it,” said Runaway Bay Mayor Herman White. “After these newer homes came out to Wise County, the rooftops and the disturbance of land, it’s diverted water into different areas. There are manholes that are decayed, sewer lines are made out of that clay pipe, and we’re dumping sewer into the lake. It’s been known for a long time. This last rain, we dumped damn near 100,000 gallons of sewer into the lake.”

PLAN — Engineering firm Freese and Nichols recommended 10 projects for Runaway Bay’s sewer system. CITY DOCUMENT

White described the issue as an emergency that not only impacts Runaway Bay residents — who were under a boil water notice for nearly a month this summer after sewage contamination — but also, cities and water suppliers that pull water from Lake Bridgeport, and other municipalities downstream from the lake.

The cities of Decatur and Bridgeport, West Wise Special Utility District and Walnut Creek Special Utility District pull water from the lake.

“It’s a regional problem and there’s millions downstream,” White said.

In May, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a boil water notice in Runaway Bay, estimating 50,000 gallons of wastewater discharges overflowed following a rain storm. That notice was lifted June 23. At a June council meeting, White, after visiting the city’s wastewater plant, described the situation as, “10 pounds of dookie in a 5-pound bag.”

Travis Kelly, of Freese and Nichols, identified 10 projects, totaling $6 million, to stop the contamination of wastewater. The projects include four gravity main replacements, lift station rehabilitation and expansion, Waste Water Treatment Plant improvements, a manhole replacement, SCADA system upgrades and a long-term rehabilitation and collection system master plan. Overall, White said it would cost around $60 million to bring the city’s entire wastewater infrastructure up to date.

The city will seek grant funding, potentially through the State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) for Texas, White said, adding that the city needs to start on the project as soon as possible. Freese and Nichols highlighted the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, the American Rescue Plan, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities as potential funding sources.

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark said the county is ready to assist Runaway Bay through advocacy.

“We stand ready to be supportive partners in the way of letters of support, advocacy support as they seek funding solutions for their wastewater situation,” Clark said. “We’ll lend our support and voice to them as they seek grant funding that they identify as potential sources.”

Decatur City Manager Nate Mara said no issues have been reported in the city’s water quality as a result of sewer contamination from Runaway Bay, but added that the city is monitoring the situation.

Over the years, there have been red flags about sewer issues, but the city has been strapped financially as it pursues water infrastructure improvements, White said.

“There have been these signs for many years, we have approached them, we have talked about them and tried to find answers, and we have tried to go to get grants,” White said. “They’re just not out there. With our budget, we’ve been trying to maintain and put out fires, with water leaks and breaks. We’ve been working on trying to get things fixed. What comes first? You have to have water.”

Runaway Bay recently tackled a $3.6 million project for a water treatment plant in addition to funding a new water tower. Now, with wastewater as a pressing concern, the mayor is asking for help from state and federal leaders, including State Rep. Lynn Stucky, State Rep. David Spiller, State Rep. Phil King, State Senator Drew Springer, U.S. Congressmen Michael Burgess and Ronny Jackson. TCEQ Regional Director Alyssa Taylor was also in attendance at the meeting.

“We wanted to share what the issues are so they can be aware,” White said. “We’ve been in a drought for 3 or 4 years. This area, when it rains, it rains hard and the lake can fill up quickly when it comes like that. The biggest recent rain we’ve had has been 1 or 2 inches and that lasted a day. If you get a week or two-week rain there will never be anyway to stop it. Once it starts, there’s no telling the amount or percentage of sewage that goes into the lake. That’s what I’m afraid of.”