Trinity River Authority of Texas

Trinity River Authority

Information for the Press

For Release:  March 20, 2006

Heavy Rainfall Produces Wastewater Collection Line Over Flows
Irving - Record setting rainfall on Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19 caused three 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 two locations in Irving. As of 2 P.M. on March 20 some 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 4 P.M. March 19 to 2 P.M. March 20, an estimated 360,000 gallons has escaped from the collection line.

The first Irving location was from a lift station in the vicinity of Century Boulevard and International Parkway.  The second was from a manhole in the vicinity of SH-183 and Grauwyler.

From approximately 3 P.M. on March 19 until 2 P.M. March 20, an estimated total of 600,000 were released from each of these locations.

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.

For more information contact John Jadrosich or Debbie Bronson at (817) 467-4343

 

 

 

 

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______

                                     3.  Irving in the vicinity of SH-183 and Grauwyler____________________

Estimated time and date of spill:  Location 1 – 4:00 p.m. on 3/19/06 until 2:00 p.m. on 3/20/06__ 

                                                          Location 2 – 3:00 p.m. on 3/19/06 until 2:00 p.m. on 3/20/06__

                                                          Location 3 – 3:00 p.m. on 3/19/06 until 2:00 p.m. on 3/20/06__

 Estimated volume of the spill (number of gallons):    Location 1 – 330,000 gallons_____________

                                                                                             Location 2 – 600,000 gallons_____________

                                                                                             Location 3 – 600,000 gallons____________

 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

o        Increased monitoring of water supply systems has been initiated

o        The cause of the spill has been corrected

o        Clean-up activities are underway/completed

o        Other______________________________________________________________________