A Trinity River Authority Metering Station began overflowing wastewater on Monday, October 26, 2009 after heavy rains caused hydraulic overloading in the Authority's East Mountain Creek pipeline resulting in capacity restrictions.
During heavy rain events, such as those experienced during the past weekend in the DFW area, it is common for storm water to cover manholes and underground wastewater pipes. When this occurs, water gains access to the pipeline system through openings in the manholes and cracks in the pipelines. The pipelines become hydraulically over loaded and wastewater spills occur.
No public drinking water supplies were threatened or contaminated by this overflow. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all wastewater overflows in excess of 100,000 gallons to be reported to TCEQ, the public, and other designated public officials.
TRA estimates that 158,100 gallons of wastewater outflowed from the Meter Station 5.3M, located one-half mile west of HWY 1382, one-half mile east of Bardin Road, and three-fourths mile south of I-20, discharging into a low lying area of the Mountain Creek drainage basin. The Meter Station measures flows from the City of Grand Prairie that flow through a City of Dallas 30” Interceptor to TRA's East Mountain Creek Interceptor.
This began at 9:45 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2009. The overflow stopped at 3:45 p.m., October 27, 2009. The impact of this inadvertent spill was minimized by large quantities of storm water which served to dilute the wastewater in the East Mountain Creek Interceptor and Mountain Creek drainage basin.
All required city, county and state officials have been notified of this event by TRA.
| 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: Trinity River Authority's Central Regional Wastewater System, East Mountain Creek | ||
Contact for further information: John Jadrosich - Public Information (817) 467-4343 | ||
Location of the spill: ½ mile west of Highway 1382, ½ mile east of Bardin Road, and ¾ mile south of I-20 | ||
Estimated time and date of spill: Starting at 9:45 a.m. on October 26, 2009 and ending at 3:45 p.m., October 27, 2009 | ||
Estimated volume of the spill (number of gallons): 158,100 gallons | ||
Type of spill: (domestic) (industrial) (other) Explain other: Domestic | ||
Area potentially affected: Mountain Creek drainage area in Grand Prairie | ||
Suspected cause of spill: Hydraulic overload due to heavy rainfall | ||
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_________________________________ | |
As listed in the Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Outreach Initiative Final Corrective Action Plan, submitted by the Authority and approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Authority annually performs internal line video inspection and line cleaning activities. Problem areas identified are scheduled for corrective action. Also, design of a relief project is underway for the Mountain Creek Interceptor, Sections 5 and 6 that will increase the diameter of the pipe from 72 to 96 inches, resulting in additional line capacity. Construction will begin approximately April 2010 and is expected to be complete by late 2011. In addition, preliminary design activities are underway to increase the East Mountain Creek Interceptor from 33 and 36 inches to 60 inches in diameter, which will result in increased hydraulic capacity. Construction is expected to begin in early 2011.
Contacts:
Trinity River Authority
John Jadrosich, 817-467-4343
