On Monday, water operators discovered a mechanical failure of a dechlorination pump at the City of Pflugerville Gilleland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant which allowed approximately 3.4 million gallons of treated, chlorinated effluent to be discharged into Gilleland Creek.

The city says operators conduct routine visual inspections of the plant and the mechanical failure occurred sometimes between 12 p.m. on March 3 and 7:45 a.m. on March 4.

The issue was immediately repaired.

The City notified appropriate regulatory entities, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Parks and Wildlife who have been onsite to investigate.  Gilleland Creek returned to normal chlorination levels by 1:30 p.m.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Public Notification Form for Wastewater Discharges
Information about the Discharge

An unauthorized discharge or spill of wastewater has occurred from:

            Wastewater Treatment Facility: Gilleland Creek WWTP         

Facility Name:  Gilleland Creek WWTP

Person to contact for information:  Wiley Webb

Location of spill(s):  Gilleland Creek 15500 #B Sun Light Near Way Pflugerville, TX 78691

Estimated date and time of spill(s):  1:00pm 03/03/2019-8:00am 03/04/2019

Estimated volume of spill(s)(number of gallons):  3,400,000 gallons

Type of Spill (domestic, industrial, other):  Chlorinated Treated WWTP Effluent

Description of the area potentially affected, including down gradient and lateral distance from spill(s) site:  1 mile downstream of Gilleland WWTP

Suspected cause of spill(s):  Mechanical failure of dechlorination pump.

List of actions taken including but, not limited to:

Notification of:

Appropriate local government officials: _X_   TCEQ Regional Office: _X__

Containment of spill:  Repairs were made to ensure proper dechlorination of effluent.

Increased monitoring of water supply systems:  ½ mile Downstream

Initiation or completion of cleanup activities:  03/04/2019-03-05-2019

If the Wastewater Spill meets the following conditions:

1.         The spill is 50,000 gallons or more where one or more of the following conditions also exists:

(A)              the spill occurs within 1/2-mile of a public or private source of drinking water;

(B)              the spill occurs within 1/2-mile of a private drinking water well which is located within 1/2-mile of a public water supply well;

(C)              the spill occurs within 1/2-mile up-gradient of a surface water intake of a public or private source of drinking water;

(D)              the spill occurs in an active groundwater recharge area;

(E)               the spill occurs up-gradient and within 1/2-mile of a karst terrain or shallow alluvial well that is a source of drinking water; OR

2.   The spill is 100,000 gallons or more.

Ensure the notice contains the following precautionary statements:

1.   Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within ½ mile of the spill site or within the potentially affected area should use only water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses including drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing.  Individuals with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling. 

2.   Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use. 

3.   The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill. 

If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as pos