At least 10 fish species killed in drinking water spill on Comal River
More than a million gallons of drinking water killed fish on the Comal River last week.
According to the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, an “undetermined” amount of fish died in the river after the potabale water spilled from a main break into the nearby Blieders Creek and then flowed into the Comal, New Braunfels Utilities Chief Communications Officer Melissa Krause told the paper.
RELATED: Downtown San Antonio trashcans are getting real chatty lately
The chlorine in the water attacks the gills of fish, an expert told the newspaper. The lethality of it usually dilutes in about a day.
Though an exact number of fish deaths has not been found, the newspaper reported the species affected included the Bluegill, Red-spotted Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Mexican Tetra, Mosquitofish, Green Sunfish, Redbreast, Longear Sunfish, Salfin Molly and Flathead Catfish.
READ MORE FROM MADALYN: At least 3.8 million fish killed by Texas winter snowstorm, officials say
Officials in New Braunfels credit aging infrastructure for the break.
“Unfortunately, the chlorine in the potable water did cause that fish kill,” Krausse said. “We are working with a biologist from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He’s been assessing the situation. We also contacted the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and we’re working with them. We’re here to do whatever is necessary to help with the recovery process.”
