In early March of 2023, residents of Vander Ranch, a new development in Greenwood, woke up to a nightmare scenario when a sewage leak affected their homes and neighborhood. The stench and signs of contamination have left homeowners outraged and concerned about the potential health hazards, financial burdens, and devaluation of their properties.
Homeowners made ongoing complaints of foul smells and visible feces spilling into their neighborhood. According to residents, the issue had been ongoing for several weeks before the sewage company took action.
Local authorities were alerted, and investigators at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Midland County Environmental Enforcement department were called in to assess the damage. The Midland County Environmental Department told Midland Times that the incident is still an active and ongoing criminal investigation, so no updates will be provided.
Findings from the TCEQ reports indicate that the sewage system, managed by Park Sewage Company, had reached its maximum capacity. The sewage leak resulted in a 7,000-gallon spill of raw sewage, according to the reports.
In an attempt to clean and disinfect the area, Park Sewage Company used liquid bleach before switching to HTH Shock, a high strength chlorine formula. Soon after, residents complained to TCEQ about chlorine smells in their water.
Deceased animals floating in the leakage, bleached clothing, and irritated skin rashes have been reported. Residents are concerned that slow response to the problem and the treatment process may lead to enduring long-term health hazards.
Vander Ranch is filled with unfinished homes. According to residents, the issues with the sewage system have caused construction firms to withdraw from completing the community, leaving amenities such as the resort style swimming pool, sport courts, walking trails, and stocked fishing ponds unfinished.
According to TCEQ reports, there are concerns that the daily influx of sewage into the system may affect its ability to handle large volumes of wastewater. Further investigation revealed that the homes in Vander Ranch are connected to the Park Sewer Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWWP), which is shared with residences in the Pecan Grove subdivision, heightening concerns.
WWTP is permitted a daily average flow of effluent not to exceed 10,000 gallons until the sewage system is expanded. TCEQ reports state that the permit limit was exceeded 97% of the time from December 20, 2022 through February 19 of this year,.
Vander Ranch resident Jody Gardenhire and his family selected their Vander Ranch residence for its affordability and modern design.
“There's an uneasiness that comes from feeling like we’re trapped like prisoners in our own home and not knowing what's going to happen next,” said Gardenhire in an interview with Midland Times. “It was the sewage leak, then the high chlorine levels, now they want to increase our water bills. The lack of communication is the big thing that causes the uneasiness we feel,” he said.
Another Vander Ranch resident, Shannon Baucom, expressed similar concerns. “We paid extra for the lot to have a view of the pond, but now it's a pond filled with reclaimed sewage water and it smells so bad that we can't go outside and enjoy our back porch.”
Baucom also said “mosquitoes and rattlesnakes are a major issue [we’re] dealing with because of that waste pond.”
The incident has entered a new phase as authorities dig deeper into its causes and possible implications.