LOCAL
1 MILLION GALLONS OF RAW SEWAGE HEADING TOWARD WHITE ROCK LAKE
The City says there's a possibility for "fish kill and unpleasant odor in and around White Rock Lake."
DALLAS – DALLAS - About 1 million of gallon raw sewage spill is flowing toward White Rock Lake in Dallas, known as the crown jewel of the Dallas parks system.
The North Texas Municipal Water District said a construction worker hit a wastewater pipe in Plano, near Preston and the President George Bush Turnpike. From about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday until 2:30 a.m. Thursday, 1.069 million gallons of sewage seeped out of the pipe and into White Rock Creek about 12 miles north of White Rock Lake.
As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the City of Dallas shut down all recreational activities on the lake. Kayaking, paddling, rowing and sailing operations are temporarily closed as is the dog park launch, which is the watering hole where dogs can jump into the lake.
Initial reports indicated that 250,000 gallons of sewage were spilled. Later Thursday, that number quadrupled. “Officials from NTMWD and Trinity Watershed Management are conducting environmental assessments and sampling water quality along White Rock Creek,” read a statement from the city of Dallas.
“Residents along White Rock Creek who notice anything unusual, such as dead fish, should report it to 3-1-1, The statement continued.
The bacteria from such a large spill is concerning to Richard Greyson, a team leader for the Texas Stream Team, a group of volunteers that monitors about 75 sites for water quality in Dallas and Collin Counties.
“Everything flows downstream,” Greyson said. “It doesn’t just evaporate. Those organisms - they grow. There would be even more organisms now in this heat than there were two hours ago.”
The Corinthian Sailing Club was operating summer camps on the lake Thursday morning when they got word about the spill.
“We all rinsed the boats off and rinsed the kids off and washed our hands, so just took every precaution we could because safety and fun are our two highest priorities for camp,” said Cullen Bryant, a head coach at the camp.
Camp Director Greta Mittman said she was warned that while human waste might dissipate in the water, paper and feminine hygiene products won’t.
The NTMWD confirmed that is a concern and in a statement warned people who come in contact with such material or even soil that might have been contaminated to bathe and wash their clothes as soon as possible.
Mark Clayton, Dallas City Council, said the city would do everything possible to prevent damage to the lake. “It’s an accident. It’s less maddening than if it was an industrial facility dumping on purpose,” Clayton said. “It was an accident, we’ll deal with the consequences and move forward.”
There is no danger to drinking water. Dallas Water Utilities does not use White Rock Lake as a source of water, the city’s statement said.
White Rock Lake has a volume of about 9,004 acre-feet, according to Texas Water Development Board information gathered in 2003. That would equate to just over 2.9 billion gallons of water.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified.
Check back for more on this developing story.
The North Texas Municipal Water District said a construction worker hit a wastewater pipe in Plano, near Preston and the President George Bush Turnpike. From about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday until 2:30 a.m. Thursday, 1.069 million gallons of sewage seeped out of the pipe and into White Rock Creek about 12 miles north of White Rock Lake.
Initial reports indicated that 250,000 gallons of sewage were spilled. Later Thursday, that number quadrupled. “Officials from NTMWD and Trinity Watershed Management are conducting environmental assessments and sampling water quality along White Rock Creek,” read a statement from the city of Dallas.
“Residents along White Rock Creek who notice anything unusual, such as dead fish, should report it to 3-1-1, The statement continued.
The bacteria from such a large spill is concerning to Richard Greyson, a team leader for the Texas Stream Team, a group of volunteers that monitors about 75 sites for water quality in Dallas and Collin Counties.
“Everything flows downstream,” Greyson said. “It doesn’t just evaporate. Those organisms - they grow. There would be even more organisms now in this heat than there were two hours ago.”
The Corinthian Sailing Club was operating summer camps on the lake Thursday morning when they got word about the spill.
“We all rinsed the boats off and rinsed the kids off and washed our hands, so just took every precaution we could because safety and fun are our two highest priorities for camp,” said Cullen Bryant, a head coach at the camp.
Camp Director Greta Mittman said she was warned that while human waste might dissipate in the water, paper and feminine hygiene products won’t.
Mark Clayton, Dallas City Council, said the city would do everything possible to prevent damage to the lake. “It’s an accident. It’s less maddening than if it was an industrial facility dumping on purpose,” Clayton said. “It was an accident, we’ll deal with the consequences and move forward.”
There is no danger to drinking water. Dallas Water Utilities does not use White Rock Lake as a source of water, the city’s statement said.
White Rock Lake has a volume of about 9,004 acre-feet, according to Texas Water Development Board information gathered in 2003. That would equate to just over 2.9 billion gallons of water.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified.
Check back for more on this developing story.
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