Runaway Bay: Sewage Concern for Lake Bridgeport
Published: Mon, 10/24/22
Mayor issues ‘catastrophic’ warning as Runaway Bay sewage spills into Lake Bridgeport
BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
The Runaway Bay mayor is warning about sewage spilling into Lake Bridgeport, seen in this 2015 file photo.
RODGER MALLISON Star-Telegram
RUNAWAY BAY
Instead of celebrating a break in the drought when four inches of rain fell in late August, Runaway Bay mayor Herman White worried about a catastrophe brewing on Lake Bridgeport.
The city documented around 100,000 gallons of sewage that flowed into the lake but White said, “That’s what we know about.”
Inadequate, deteriorating clay sewer lines coupled with lift stations that are in the water led to thousands of gallons of sewage spilling into Lake Bridgeport, which supplies water to the city of Fort Worth.
Wise County Judge J.D. Clark told the Wise County Messenger that water districts “rigorously” treat the water before it goes into the supply. But there is a concern because the lake is also used for recreation and irrigation.
The Tarrant Regional Water District owns the lake. The district’s monitoring program has not detected any impacts to water quality, according to spokesperson Chad Lorance. The district supplies raw water to 2.3 million people in 11 North Texas counties.
All measured bacteria levels are well below the contact recreation standard set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,” Lorance wrote in a text message.
White, who moved to the city in the 1980s shortly after Runaway Bay incorporated following its beginnings as a resort community, had been sounding the alarm about the inadequate water and sewer systems. He said developers didn’t build the pipes and manholes to last, and they deteriorated over the years. Regulations were not in place when Runaway Bay began as a resort in the 1960s, he said.
But now, White says it’s time for immediate action to get emergency funding as Lake Bridgeport is a drinking water source and recreation area for many. The Crossroads Lab Learn more about our editorial initiative exploring under-covered issues critical to the future of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
White said $6 million is needed for an immediate fix. He is holding a countywide meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Runaway Bay Country Club, 400 Halfmoon Way.
“We have sewer leaks all of the time, not just when it rains,” he said. “That’s where the catastrophe comes in.”
Runaway Bay has a staff of 10 to take care of the water and sewer problems, but it’s not enough as they are often out working until 3 and 4 in the morning. It’s not uncommon to see the police chief and firefighters helping when problems arise.
White said the city needs emergency money, and there isn’t time to fill out applications and wait on grants and loans as money is difficult to come by. He said the concern is for communities downstream from the lake.
He estimated that it will take around $80 million to repair the sewer system.
“I’m talking about all of the people swimming, fishing in the lake. You look at all of the things medically that could happen. Let’s say we get a wet summer and start filling up these lakes,” he said.
White said there are over 30 miles of sewer lines in Runaway Bay, but because of the lake, the typography of each city block is different. The clay pipes are like an accordion, expanding and contracting because of water pressure from the lake. In September, White organized a meeting including elected officials from Wise County and state and national legislators because the crisis in Runaway Bay is a regional problem, he said. White said he reached out to state agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the elected officials to inform them about the crisis with the sewer system.
“I’m very transparent. I wanted people to know about this and discuss what we can do to get it fixed,” he said.
Runaway Bay is also working with the engineering firm Freese and Nichols and Wise County judge J.D. Clark. “It’s just a tragic situation we’re in,” White said.