Plano municipal authorities are currently overseeing a sanitary sewer overflow stemming from a problem with a lift station managed by the North Texas Municipal Water District. The estimated overflow volume exceeded 1.5 million gallons, discharging into White Rock Creek on March 14, 2024.
On Thursday, the Plano Public Works Department was notified of a sanitary sewer manhole overflow near 5510 W. Plano Pkwy, close to White Rock Creek, which was attributed to a pump and motor malfunction at the water district facility. The city received an alert from its flow monitoring system at 2:40 p.m., indicating the manhole was nearing overflow. Confirmation was made by a crew at 2:50 p.m.
NTMWD initiated steps to diagnose the problem and is arranging for bypass pumping to aid repairs and manage sewer flows.
Update 3/20/24 - 9:30 a.m. According to Plano Director of Media Relations Steve Stoler, recent creek monitoring shows the sanitary sewer levels are back to normal. However, minor cleanup is occurring around one of the manholes where debris was deposited. Warning signs around the area were removed on March 19.
“From our end, no additional monitoring or cleanup is needed,” Stoler told Local Profile. “We spoke with the city of Dallas and provided them an update as well. They didn’t observe any fish kills or other impacts.”
According to Stoler, the city estimates more than 1.5 million gallons of sewage overflowed from three manholes. All overflows were due to the same event caused by a complete mechanical failure at a North Texas Municipal Water District lift station, including pumps and motors in the facility. Water District crews have been working around the clock to complete the final repairs.
"The sanitary sewer overflows stopped just before 5 a.m. Saturday morning," Stoler said. "Our flow monitors show normal levels in the system."
City Public Works crews have not seen any environmental impacts from the spills into White Rock Creek, Stoler explained. The creek will continue to be monitored.
According to a Facebook post by Dallas District 9 Council Member Paula Blackmon, Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) staff is monitoring impacts on White Rock Creek in Dallas and performing field sampling along the path of the discharge within city limits.
DWU personnel will maintain surveillance of White Rock Creek and White Rock Lake until water quality levels return to acceptable standards. Dallas residents can reach out to 3-1-1 if they observe any alterations in creek conditions along White Rock Creek.
While Plano encountered this domestic wastewater leak, the safety of public drinking water remains unaffected and suitable for consumption, according to city officials. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was informed about the spill.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
