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Brownsville Public Utilities Board > Company News > BPUB: Rainfall and Flooding Impact on Electric, Water, and Sewer Systems

BPUB: Rainfall and Flooding Impact on Electric, Water, and Sewer Systems

Release Date: July 10, 2021

Brownsville, TX – Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) reports that the recent thunderstorms and flooding did not significantly impact electric and water systems.  The weather resulted in sporadic short electrical outages and flickering lights.  BPUB’s water system was not affected, and potable water is safe to use.

In some areas, the BPUB sanitary sewer system experienced sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) caused by the floodwaters entering the sewer system through manholes and lift stations.  The floodwaters overwhelmed the sewer system and resulted in sewage overflows and discharged sewer into the floodwaters.  Currently, there are 20 sewage lift stations under the floodwater.  The SSOs did not enter or contaminate the BPUB water treatment system.

BPUB sewer crews have worked continuously during the emergency and will continue until the system is back to normal.  The sewer lift station pumps continued to operate during the heavy rainfall and continue operating to pump sewer to the sewer treatment plants.

Sewer lift stations pump and move sewer from homes and businesses to the sewer treatment plants.  The BUB sewer system consists of 187 sewer lift stations located throughout the sewer system service area.  The sewer system also includes force mains and two sewer treatment plants.

Recommended actions related to the floodwaters are to:

  • Avoid contact with the floodwater, including wading, drinking and washing. If you have contact with the floodwater, rinse using soap and clean water immediately.
  • Take care that pets do not drink potentially affected water. Pets can be especially susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur after. Rinse pets using soap and clean water.

Customers may find more information about our water quality by viewing BPUB’s Consumer Confidence Report online at https://www.brownsville-pub.com/utility-services/water-wastewater/consumer-confidence-report/.

The public can rest assured that the BPUB will remain abreast of the situation and provide any updates as they become available. Information is also available on the BPUB website at www.brownsville-pub.com, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/brownsvillepub or Twitter at https://twitter.com/BPUB_Tweets.