Public Works > Water and Wastewater

The Utilities Administration of the Public Works Department provides operation, maintenance and repair to the Water Distribution, Wastewater Collection System and the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Gas Department.

Water Distribution

To ensure the health and well being of the citizens of George West by providing a safe supply of water and maintaining the distribution system to the highest degree, maintaining good internal and external communication, continuing the education of our staff, and being fiscally responsible. We are committed to providing excellent customer service through teamwork and dedication.

The water distribution system provides water services to 1,091 connections 2,824 residents.

The Water and Wastewater Department recommends that you follow the instructions listed below in cases of:

Brown Water Coming from Tap:

First, check your cold water tap to make sure it is coming from the city's system. If confirmed that it is from the city's supply, and not coming from your hot water heater, call the department at (361) 449-1556, and report it. The City of George West could be in the process of flushing fire hydrants in your area.

Sewer Backups:

Please call the city first so that it can be determined if it is a city problem or homeowner problem. Once it is confirmed, the department will advise you on what to do next. If it is a homeowner problem, you will be advised to call a plumber. If, however, it is a city problem, it will be addressed immediately.

If the problem is in the sewer lateral, the homeowner or business is responsible for correcting the problem. The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining and cleaning the sewer lateral from the building (or home) to the sewer main, including the connection on the sewer main. City maintenance of the sewer service ends at the outside surface of the pipe on the sewer main, where the tap is made. Locating the lateral is also the responsibility of the property owner.

Cause Of Most Sewer Blockages:

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program

The US Environmental Protection Agency's FOG Program has been established to promote and contribute to a clean environment by reducing the number of sanitary sewer overflows caused by Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG).
Sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage homes and the environment. Sewer pipes blocked by grease that enters the sewer from drains cause overflows.

Where Do Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Come from In your Home?
FOG comes from meats, lard, and cooking oil, butter, shortening margarine, baking goods, sauces and dairy products. FOG can be found on cooking and eating utensils, pots, pans, and cooking surfaces.

The Effects of FOG on the Environment
FOG accumulation in the sewer system causes blockages that result in untreated wastewater overflows.
The untreated wastewater flows into streets, storm drains, ponds, creeks, rivers, oceans and backs up into business as well as residential homes.
Sewer spills can pollute beaches and streets, spread disease and requires expensive clean up.

What you can do to protect your home and the environment from FOG?

Scrape or wipe Fats, Oils, and Grease and other food residue from pots, pans, and, utensils before washing or placing in dish washing machine.

Never pour grease down drains or into toilets.

Collect and empty used cooking oils and grease in a closed container and dispose of in garbage can.

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Grease Interceptors

Grease traps or interceptors are passive devices required by municipalities to stop grease, fat, oil, wax or debris from entering the city's sanitary sewer system.
Such materials cause blockages in the system, which cause backups and overflows. Traps and interceptors are designed to separate greasy materials from wastewater so that they can be removed before they enter the sewer system.
All restaurants, caterers, school cafeterias and other commercial cooking facilities must avoid discharging grease into the municipal sewer system.
Grease interceptors must receive wastewater from all contributory sources, such as pot sinks, dishwashers, floor drains and mat washing area drains before draining to the sanitary sewer system.
Building codes require all such new or rebuilt facilities to install a grease interceptor to pre-treat grease entering a sewer. All units should be fitted with a standard final-stage sample box. Interceptors must typically be sized for at least a 30-minute peak wastewater flow detention time from all contributory sources.
On occasion, a grease trap will be required in place of an interceptor. Traps are typically required to have a rated flow capacity sufficient for the same 30-minute flow time.
All new, and rebuilt, as well as existing kitchen facilities, must dedicate a specific area for the washing of floor mats and related equipment, bermed to ensure wastewater is not discharged to the storm drain system but to a grease interceptor discharging to the sanitary sewer.
Outdoors wash-down area drains must be protected from rainwater intrusion. All garbage disposal units must be eliminated.
Usually, a state-certified plumber must install grease interceptors. For grease interceptors and traps to function properly they must also be regularly serviced and maintained by a qualified contractor.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the homeowner or business to maintain the integrity of the sewer lateral including preventing rainwater from entering the city's wastewater collection system through uncapped cleanouts and/or broken cleanouts and pipe.

Water Meters:

If your house contains a meter and a remote reader on the outside, you should consistently check that readings from both coincide with one another. If there is an inconsistency of more than 3000 gallons, please call the department for repairs.
If you think your meter is not accurately measuring the water consumption in your home, please contact the department and report it.

Routine Monitoring Violation Total Coliform Rule

City of George West/1490001 failed to collect the required number of bacteriological samples for coliform monitoring of the water distribution system during October 2011. This monitoring is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's "Drinking Water Standards" and the federal "Safe Drinking Water Acr," Public Law 95-523.

Backteriological samples are used to monitor water quality and indicate if the water is free of coliform bacteria. Our water system is required to submit FIVE bacteriological samples each month. Failure to collect all required bacteriological samples is a violation of the monitoring requirements and we are required to notify you of the violation.

If you have any questions regarding this violation, you may contact Ruben Pena at (361)449-1556 Ext. 1855.