UPDATE: Nov. 25, 2019, 9:15 p.m. – The City of Denton continues its response to the sanitary sewer overflow at the Hickory Creek Lift Station.
After consultation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the City asks that as a precautionary measure, persons using private drinking water wells located within one-half mile of the Hickory Creek Lift Station (located near Teasley Lane and Old Alton Road) 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.
Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if their water is safe for personal use. The City of Denton water system has not been impacted, and water from the City of Denton is safe for all personal uses.
The public should avoid contact with any waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill. The public is requested to avoid trails and other public spaces in the immediate vicinity of Old Alton Bridge during the overflow response.
Additional updates will be provided as they are available.
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The City of Denton Wastewater Utility reported a failure at the Hickory Creek Lift Station near the Old Alton Bridge around 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, which resulted in a sanitary sewer overflow in the vicinity. While the volume of the overflow is undetermined at this time, it is estimated to exceed 100,000 gallons.
Staff is actively investigating the cause of the failure and the extent of the overflow. Staff responded immediately to the station, and sewage has been temporarily diverted until repairs are made.
Samples of Hickory Creek will be tested on an ongoing basis to determine any impacts to water quality. Staff will continue to monitor the creek conditions and implement precautionary measures as needed. Staff from the City’s Watershed division are currently monitoring the stream upstream and downstream of the discharge. Staff is also adding oxygen to the stream as a precautionary measure to ensure protection of Hickory Creek.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the City to notify the public and all appropriate government officials of overflows that exceed 100,000 gallons in a single drainage basin.