October 22, 2009

Heavy Rainfall Causes Sewer Line Overflows in Fort Worth
Arlington Reports No Risk to Local Water Supply

Fort Worth Water Utility officials today reported two sanitary sewer overflows caused by heavy rains over the past several days near the Fort Worth and Arlington border.
The sanitary sewer overflows in the areas of 5600 Kaltenbrun Road and 1305 Gilman Street were caused by large amounts of rainwater entering the sewer collection system and filling pipeline capacity. The Fort Worth Water Department reports that the large volume of rainwater heavily diluted the sewage in the system and the discharge does not pose a risk to public drinking water supplies.

Arlington Water Utilities Director Julie Hunt reinforced this message Thursday afternoon to Arlington water customers.

“This overflow does not pose any danger to Arlington’s drinking water supply,” she said. “We will continue to monitor water quality in Lake Arlington to ensure that it is safe before being treated.”

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires wastewater system operators to notify the news media and public officials when large discharges occur from the sanitary sewer collection system. According to the TCEQ, the public should avoid contact with affected streams, ponds and lakes.