Crews in San Marcos are cleaning up after Wednesday's rains led to an overflow of 800,000 gallons of untreated wastewater combined with rainfall.

The overflow sprang from the city's wastewater collection system just outside the main lift station located at 502 River Road. It began about 7 a.m. and ended at 1:25 p.m., according to the city.

"We had a lot of rainwater. That's the reason for this," Assistant Director of Public Service Jon Clack said. "We have monitoring equipment up there, and we knew the levels were getting high."

The untreated wastewater was largely diluted by the rainwater, Clack said, and does not pose a threat to the environment or residents.

"With the heavy amount of rainfall, we don't see that there will be any kind of environmental impact," he said. "We've already started some of the cleanup."

Clack said cleanup will continue as the area dries out from the precipitation.

Under rules put in place by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the cities are required to notify area news media, local government officials and TCEQ about any accidental discharge of untreated wastewater of more than 100,000 gallons.

"The City of San Marcos is committed to meeting all regulations and to operating the wastewater collection system in an environmentally responsive manner," Clack said in a news release.

For more information, contact the city at 393-8000.