CITY OF TYLER: More than 360,000 gallons of sewage spills in Shackleford Creek

TYLER, Texas — The City of Tyler Water Utilities recently experienced a wastewater collection discharge within Shackleford Creek that meets the notification requirements of the TCEQ. 

According to the city, the discharge was due to a broken sanitary sewer main allowing rain water to flow into the system and overflow the lift station. 

The city says the spill is now cleaned up and there is no further danger to the public.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPILL

• Facility Name: City of Tyler - Water Utilities, TCEQ 10653-001, TX 0049996, Southside Facility
• Contact for further information: Jimmy Johnson, (903) 245-8803
• Location of the spill: Shackleford Lift Station, 9125 Cherokee Trail, in Tyler (near the Village at Cumberland Park)
• Estimated time and date of spill:  February 19, 2020 - 5:30 p.m.
• Estimated volume of the spill (number of gallons): Greater than 360,000 gallons
• Type of spill: (domestic) (industrial) (other) Explain other: Domestic sewage
• Area potentially affected: Shackleford Creek
• The suspected cause of spill: A broken sanitary sewer main allowing rain water to flow into the system and overflow the lift station 

 The city says the following actions have been taken:

1. Appropriate local governmental officials have been notified: Yes
2. TCEQ regional office has been notified: Yes
3. The spill has been contained: Yes
4. Increased monitoring of water supply systems has been initiated: Yes
5. Corrective Action: Emergency crews are working to locate the line failure
6. Clean-up activities are complete: Tyler Water Utilities will continue to monitor the water quality conditions upstream and downstream of the discharge for the next few days to ensure that the water quality in Shackleford Creek has not been compromised. 

Residents may wish to take the following precautions:

• Don’t swim in affected area streams, ponds or lakes.
• Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-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.
• The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.