A ruptured wastewater pipeline in north Arlington released more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater over the weekend, prompting a precautionary advisory for nearby private well owners.
The Trinity River Authority said the overflow was detected at about 2 p.m. Saturday near the 6300 block of Mirabella Boulevard. The agency identified the source as a break in a 30-inch pressurized force main used to carry sewage through the regional collection system.
Officials with the TRA Central Regional Wastewater System said the discharge was heavily diluted and has not posed a risk to municipal drinking water or to aquatic life in the area. Wastewater service to customers will continue without interruption, the agency said.
Advisory for Private Well Owners
The TRA issued a precautionary notice for anyone who draws drinking water from a private groundwater well within a half mile of the rupture. Those residents are advised to use distilled water or water brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute for drinking, cooking, bathing, and brushing teeth.
The agency recommended that private well owners have their water professionally tested and disinfected before ending the precautions. Households connected to a municipal public water supply can check with their local provider to verify safety.
Members of the public were also urged to stay away from waste material, soil, and standing water near the affected stretch of Mirabella Boulevard. Anyone who comes into contact with potentially contaminated material should bathe and wash clothing thoroughly as soon as possible, officials said.
State Reporting Requirements
Texas rules require any municipal wastewater spill exceeding 100,000 gallons to be reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, along with notification to local residents and public officials. The TRA said a final estimated volume of the discharge will be submitted to state regulators once calculations are complete.
