exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

City of McAllen Public Utility is advising residents to abstain from flushing any type of wipes down the toilet, whether flushable or not. Due to a shortage of toilet paper in grocery stores, individuals have started using flushable wipes, Kleenex tissues, disinfecting wipes, baby wipes and paper towels.

Disinfecting wipes are helping people combat the spreading of germs amid the coronavirus pandemic. But some experts say the wipes, arguably the supply that’s been used to clean surfaces in homes the most, are harming sewers.

With the recent increased use of disinfectant and cleaning wipes, North Texas Municipal Water District, a regional provider of wastewater collection and treatment, wants to remind everyone that wipes clog everything.

Parker County officials were notifying residents along the Brazos River of coming flood waters after the Brazos River Authority opened four gates at Possum Kingdom Lake’s Morris Sheppard Dam early Wednesday morning.

While public health professionals are urging everyone to wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes to stave off coronavirus, water officials are worried a dramatic rise in the number of people flushing wipes will overwhelm wastewater treatment plants and home plumbing.

In a statement made on the City of Kingsville's Facebook page, City Manager Mark McLaughlin said the city will not disconnect water from residents with unpaid utility bills as a result of the recent disaster declaration over novel coronavirus concerns. 

City officials are espousing the benefits of a recently approved agreement designed to improve wastewater treatment facilities here, as well as water quality.

The Willow Park city council approved the two studies — stormwater utility rate, $25,000, and stormwater impact fee, $15,000 — Tuesday night for a total of $40,000. The city did not budget for the study costs, but is able to pay the amount from reserve funds, according to WP City Manager Bryan Grimes.

After months of uncertainty, the Leroy-Tours-Gerald Water Supply Corp. plans to start buying water from the city of Waco to reduce the amount of arsenic in its water supply.

Officials with The Woodlands Water, the agency that provides drinking water and sewage treatment for more than 30,000 residential and business accounts in The Woodlands, said residents should not worry — the water supply is totally filtered and disinfected against pathogens such as the novel coronavirus.

REMINDER: Do not flush disposable wipes. Only toilet paper is designed to break down in the system. Protect your pipes and ours and dispose of wipes in the trash can. #NoWipesinthePipes

Governor Abbott has appointed Lana Guthrie to the Nueces River Authority Board of Directors for a term set to expire on February 1, 2025.  The authority shall administer the control, employment, and conservation of the waters of the Nueces River Basin, forestation and reforestation, groundwater, storm water floodwater, water quality control, solid waste, and parks and recreational facilities.

Two El Paso utilities will be suspending disconnections until further notice as the city partially shuts down due to COVID-19 fears. El Paso Electric and El Paso Water made the announcements on Monday and Tuesday, the same day City Council passed a citywide ordinance shutting down bars and placing restrictions on restaurants.

The Trinity River Authority very much appreciates the continued loyalty and trust of visitors to our recreational facilities. With the uncertain and evolving health situation in the U.S., our highest priority is the health and well-being of our visitors and employees.