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Trinity River Authority of Texas: Heavy Rainfall Produces Wastewater Collection Line Over Flows

Posted on: Thursday, 28 June 2007, 12:05 CDT

Record setting rainfall and high river flows on Tuesday, June 26 caused two separate wastewater over flows from the Trinity River Authority of Texas' Elm Fork wastewater collection system.

Wastewater lines are customarily built adjacent to streams, on this occasion the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, to enable wastewater to flow by gravity to treatment facilities. When rainfall and flood water cover collection lines and manholes, water is able to enter or infiltrate into the collection lines. Over flows occur when the combined volume of wastewater and rainfall exceed the capacity of the line.

While highly undesirable, the impact was minimized on this occasion by the volume of flood water in both the collection line and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River which ultimately received a portion of the wastewater over flow.

Over flows occurred at one location in Farmers Branch and one location in Irving. As of 4 P.M. on June 27 the locations were continuing to over flow. A final estimated volume will be reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality when the over flows stop.

The Farmers Branch location was from a Junction Box in the vicinity of IH-635 and Luna Road. From 10 AM on June 27 to 4 PM June 27, an estimated 360,000 gallons had escaped from the collection line.

The Irving location was from a lift station in the vicinity of Century Boulevard and International Parkway. From approximately 7 AM on June 27 until 4 PM June 27, an estimated total of 121,000 was released from this location.

Planning, design and construction is under way to provide better service to facilities in this area.

No public drinking water supplies were threatened or contaminated by any of these over flows. The TCEQ requires all wastewater over flows in excess of 100,000 gallons to be reported to themselves, the public and other designated public officials.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chapter 319 - General Regulations Incorporated Into Permits Rule Log No. 99031-319-WT

Figure: 30 TAC 319.303

NOTICE OF SPILL FROM A WASTEWATER FACILITY

A spill from a wastewater treatment or collection facility has occurred.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPILL

Facility Name: Central Regional Wastewater System - Elm Fork Interceptor

Contact for further information: John Jadrosich, Public Information Officer, 817-493-5121

Location of the spill: 1. Farmers Branch in the vicinity of IH-635 and Luna Road 2. Irving in the vicinity of Century Blvd. and International Parkway

Estimated time and date of spill: Location 1 - 10:00 AM on 6/27/07 Location 2 - 7:00 AM on 6/27/07

Estimated volume of the spill (number of gallons): Location 1 - 360,000 gallons (Continuing as of 4 PM 6-27) Location 2 - 121,000 gallons (Continuing as of 4 PM 6-27)

Type of spill: (domestic) (industrial) (other) Explain other: Domestic

Area potentially affected: Elm Fork, Trinity River

Suspected cause of spill: Storm Water Inflow and Infiltration

THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN: x Appropriate local governmental officials have been notified x TCEQ regional office has been notified The spill has been contained Increased monitoring of water supply systems has been initiated The cause of the spill has been corrected Clean-up activities are underway/completed Other

Source: Business Wire

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