Heavy Rainfalls Cause Sanitary Sewer Overflows

DALLAS, TX -- The heavy rainfall over the past few days around the Dallas area caused numerous drainage basins to overflow. The East Bank, West Bank, Five Mile, and White Rock drainage basins each recorded more than 100,000 gallons worth of overflow, the city said in a news release.

The ground remains saturated and stormwater inevitably causes sanitary sewer overflows to continue. These overflows are largely caused by inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the wastewater collection system. Dallas Water Utilities crews are monitoring and performing cleanup activities at several sanitary sewer overflow locations throughout the city.

"Although there is no danger to the water supply, the public is reminded to avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in any of the affected areas," the city said in its release "If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spills, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly."

Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-mile of the spill site or within the potentially affected area should only use 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.